UPSC Current Affairs
Antimicrobial Resistance
Context: India faces a significant burden from infectious diseases and ranks second in global antibiotic consumption, increasing by 47% from 2010 to 2020. Misuse and abuse of antibiotics is a key driver for development of AMR. Antibiotics are societal drugs, distinct from other medications.
VRAuthor Desk
2 min read
Context: India faces a significant burden from infectious diseases and ranks second in global antibiotic consumption, increasing by 47% from 2010 to 2020. Misuse and abuse of antibiotics is a key driver for development of AMR. Antibiotics are societal drugs, distinct from other medications.
Context:
- India faces a significant burden from infectious diseases and ranks second in global antibiotic consumption, increasing by 47% from 2010 to 2020.
- Misuse and abuse of antibiotics is a key driver for development of AMR.
What are Antibiotics?
- Antibiotics are societal drugs, distinct from other medications.
- Their misuse not only affects individual health but also contributes significantly to the growing global threat of AMR, impacting public health & society at large.
- Antimicrobials - including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics - are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.
- Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
- Antimicrobial Resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them.
- Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals, poor infection prevention, and lack of clean water and sanitation all contribute to the alarming rise of AMR.
- Free over-the counter availability and self-medication by the patients fuel this rise.
Syllabus: Prelims + Mains; GS II – Health
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Environment, Polity & Governance, Health.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to Antimicrobial Resistance, consider the following statements:
- India faces a significant burden from infectious diseases and ranks second in global antibiotic consumption, increasing by 47% from 2010 to 2020.
- Misuse and abuse of antibiotics is a key driver for development of AMR.
- Antibiotics are societal drugs, distinct from other medications.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of Antimicrobial Resistance for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- Context:
- What are Antibiotics?
- What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Antimicrobial Resistance in the news?
Context: India faces a significant burden from infectious diseases and ranks second in global antibiotic consumption, increasing by 47% from 2010 to 2020. Misuse and abuse of antibiotics is a key driver for development of AMR.
What are the key facts about Antimicrobial Resistance?
Antibiotics are societal drugs, distinct from other medications. Their misuse not only affects individual health but also contributes significantly to the growing global threat of AMR, impacting public health & society at large. Antimicrobials - including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics - are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.
Why is Antimicrobial Resistance important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Environment, Polity & Governance, Health and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.