Parliament Question: Steps to regulate the sale and use of antibiotics;

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 458 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026 STEPS TO REGULATE THE SALE AND USE OF ANTIBIOTICS 458. SHRI JAGGESH: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government is aware of the increasing antibiotic resistance in the country, as reported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), particularly in infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections; (b) whether indiscriminate and non-prescription use of antibiotics has been identified as a major contributing factor to this problem; (c) whether Government has taken or proposes to take steps to regulate the sale and use of antibiotics strictly on medical prescription; and (d) whether any nationwide awareness programmes have been launched or proposed in this regard, and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (d): The Government is aware of the increasing trend of antibiotic resistance in the country, including resistance observed in infections such as pneumonia/urinary tract infections, and has identified indiscriminate and non-prescription use of antibiotics as a major contributing factor. Steps taken by the Government to regulate antibiotic prescriptions are annexed at Annexure. The Government of India through Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) regulates safety, efficacy and quality of the drugs under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 & its rules. Antibiotics have been included in Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules and are required to be sold by retail only under the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. Information Education and Communication (IEC) material has been developed under the National Programme for AMR containment and is uploaded on National Centre for Disease Control website for public awareness and dissemination (https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/iec-amr/). *****ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 458 FOR 03.02.2026 REGARDING STEPS TO REGULATE THE SALE AND USE OF ANTIBIOTICS 1. Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) have been issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the same are available in public domain and can be accessed at https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/guidelines-resources/ 2. Government has issued Guidelines on Infection Prevention and Control which aim at prevention and control of healthcare associated infections to reduce the use of antibiotics in healthcare settings. 3. Standard Treatment Guidelines have also been prescribed under various National Health Programs. 4. States have also been advised to ensure prescription of generic drugs and conduct regular prescription audits in public health facilities. 5. Practice of prescription audit is one of the prerequisites for getting certified under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS). **********