On Tuesday, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda emphasized the alarming prevalence of excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics, which has led to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) becoming a significant public health issue. He stressed the urgent need for corrective measures.

Nadda made these remarks during the launch of the second version of the National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR for the years 2025-29. He pointed out that addressing this challenge requires collective action. He stated, “AMR is a major public health concern that can only be tackled through collaborative efforts.”

The journey towards addressing AMR began in 2010 with initial discussions, leading to the implementation of the first NAP-AMR in 2017. Nadda reiterated that the misuse of antibiotics has unfortunately become commonplace, necessitating immediate corrective actions. He also mentioned that various ministries have initiated several important measures in this regard.