The Delhi government warns pharmacists found to be selling antibiotics without a prescription that they would face strict action

The Delhi government has issued a warning to all pharmacists about the harsh consequences that await them if they are discovered to be selling medications without a prescription in an effort to stop the abuse of antibiotics.

The Delhi government’s Medication Control Department, which oversees the production of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics as well as the distribution of medications, reiterated the call made by the Union government this year by releasing an advice on March 8 to “curb antimicrobial resistance.”

According to the advisory released by KR Chawla, deputy drug controller and head of the office, “the regulatory systems, both at the center and state levels, are aware of the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance and are continuously taking regulatory steps to curb and control indiscriminate use of antibiotics.” The All Chemists Association of Delhi’s president has received the advice.

Antimicrobial resistance is “a serious and growing threat to public health,” according to the advice.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms learn to withstand the effects of medications meant to eradicate them.

Many of the advancements in contemporary medicine are jeopardized by AMR. It increases the danger of certain medical procedures and treatments, including cancer chemotherapy, cesarean sections, and surgery, and makes infections more difficult to cure.

ADVICE IS SENT
The government of Delhi said in its recommendation that it is “extremely concerned” about the rising rates of drug resistance to antibiotics as a result of the “indiscriminate use of antimicrobials by the general public.”

According to the warning, the majority of antimicrobials are restricted to Schedule H and HI prescription medications and may only be distributed with a licensed physician’s prescription.

The advisory warned that “any deviation from the regulatory provisions would be viewed seriously and stern action in consonance with the law would be taken against the offenders.” “In light of this, you are requested to bring the contents of this advisory to the knowledge of your members and other chemists to contribute towards the containment of antimicrobial resistance and not to indulge in the sale of antimicrobials except in accordance with the prescription of RMP,” it stated.

To address the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, issued an appeal in January to all pharmacists nationwide, urging them to strictly adhere to Schedules H and HI of the drug regulations, cease the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, and only sell them on a qualified doctor’s prescription.

The Union government has mandated that physicians write “exact indications” when dispensing certain medications in accordance with the recommendation. “Exact indications” refers, in the context of prescriptions, to precise and particular medical problems or causes for which antibiotics or other antimicrobial medications are given.

“The lobby is always against the threat of AMR and supports this move,” said Rajiv Singhal, general secretary of the All India Chemist and Druggist Association (AIOCD), the biggest lobby in India with over 12.40 lakh offline pharmacists.

He said, “We insist that our members only sell Schedule H1 drugs on the prescription of qualified doctors.”

The Retail Distribution Chemist Alliance (RDCA), located in Delhi, has sent out cautions on WhatsApp groups associated with its 12,500 retailer members, according to Rajiv Tyagi, secretary of the organization, who spoke with News18 about this. “On the other hand, I would like to let you know that we are fighting AMR together and that we were already following this protocol earlier.”

AMR is one of the biggest dangers to global development and public health, according to WHO. An estimated 12.7 lakh fatalities worldwide in 2019 were directly caused by bacterial AMR.