MEDICINE USE AND MISUSE

• The passage discusses the recent recognition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a critical global health threat by the UN General Assembly (UNGA). It emphasizes the urgency for immediate action and the importance of a holistic approach to address AMR, which affects human, animal, and plant health.

Key Themes:

Global Health Threat:

• The UNGA’s acknowledgment of AMR highlights it as an urgent global health challenge with significant implications for economic development and environmental health.
• AMR is caused by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials—including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics—in human medicine and agriculture.

Impact of AMR:

• AMR threatens progress made in combating infectious diseases, complicating the treatment of diseases like tuberculosis and malaria, and making routine medical procedures riskier.
• It disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, exacerbating poverty and health inequalities.

Economic Consequences:

• The World Bank estimates potential healthcare costs due to AMR could reach up to $1 trillion by 2050, with GDP losses ranging from $1 trillion to $3.4 trillion annually by 2030.
• These costs could equal those of the 2008 global financial crisis and increase global inequalities.

Political Commitments:

• The political declaration calls for a 10% reduction in the estimated 4.95 million deaths caused by bacterial AMR annually by 2030.
• It emphasizes sustainable national financing, aiming for at least 60% of countries to have funded national action plans on AMR by 2030.

Targets for Healthcare:

• Goals include ensuring that at least 70% of antimicrobials used for human healthcare belong to the WHO Access Group, which encompasses medicines with minimal side effects.
• Countries are urged to ensure basic sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities and to report data on antimicrobial use and resistance.

Environmental Considerations:

• The passage notes the need to prevent antimicrobial pollution in the environment and to encourage research on sources of such pollution.
• The One Health approach links the health of humans, animals, and the environment, advocating for collaborative efforts among various sectors.

India's Commitment:

• The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare reiterated India’s dedication to addressing AMR at the UNGA meeting.
• India's updated National Action Plan for AMR 2.0 includes inter-sectoral collaboration and monitoring mechanisms, along with the National One Health Mission to strengthen surveillance and laboratory capabilities.

Conclusion:

• The passage emphasizes the global urgency to combat AMR through coordinated efforts across sectors, substantial political commitments, and a robust One Health approach. It highlights the significant role that countries, especially India, can play in reshaping their AMR strategies to align with global mandates and mitigate the impact of this pressing health threat.