Kerala has remarkably reduced antibiotic drug sales last year by Rs. 1,000 crore. The state achieved this by strictly implementing regulations for prescribing and selling antibiotics. Annually, Rs. 15,000 crore worth of medications are sold in Kerala, of which antibiotics account for Rs. 4,500 crore.
Concerned by the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance , the State Health Department initiated efforts one year ago to prevent the overuse of antibiotics. These efforts included canceling the licenses of pharmacies selling antibiotics without a valid prescription from a doctor. Additionally, the Health Department urged medical organizations to be more judicious when prescribing antibiotics to patients. Along with these measures, Kerala also regulated the procurement of antibiotics for government health centers. According to the All Kerala Chemist and Druggist Association, the…
