Policies and Interventions to Improve Access to Next-Generation Antimicrobials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: India Case Study

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health issue that poses a threat to global health security, with India carrying one of the largest burdens of drug-resistant pathogens worldwide. The widespread misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, both in the home and in hospital settings, is a major cause of the emergence and spread of resistant microorganisms. To tackle this threat, we must fill the gaps in our knowledge regarding the prevalence of AMR in India. Moreover, it is essential that antimicrobial innovation is enhanced, accessibility is increased, and stewardship practices are dramatically improved. This study aimed to assess the current situation of AMR in India, evaluate the scope of the National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR), and suggest policy recommendations to improve innovation and reduce the overuse and misuse of “high-end” antimicrobials (defined here as relevant Watch and Reserve categories of the WHO AWaRE list that treat critical-priority pathogens in the Indian Priority Pathogen List, or IPPL).