CONTEXT

• AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) is a major global and national health threat; Karnataka lacked a state-specific plan till now.
• Karnataka is developing its first State Action Plan on AMR, pending Cabinet approval.
• Rising misuse of antibiotics in healthcare, veterinary, agriculture, and environmental sectors necessitated a localized strategy.
• Plan developed under expert guidance of Prof. Swetavalli Raghavan after a year-long evidence-based study across 11 districts.

CONCEPT

• One Health Approach: Integrates human, animal, and environmental health—acknowledges interconnectedness.
• Designed as a five-year living document, allowing dynamic updates based on local realities.
• Based on 5 core pillars:
  • Regulate: Strict control on antibiotic use and quality.
  • Monitor: Surveillance and early warnings for AMR hotspots.
  • Educate: Public awareness and professional training.
  • Prevent: Infection prevention in healthcare and communities.
  • Lead: Governance, accountability, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Aligns with WHO and National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR), but adapted to Karnataka’s unique socio-ecological context.

CURRENT  

• Surveillance Grid: Linking public health labs with veterinary, aquaculture, and environmental labs.
• Tracking Antibiotic Usage: Especially in veterinary sector, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
• Regulate OTC Sales: Over-the-counter antibiotic sales exceed 75% in Karnataka; plan aims to curb this.
• Essential List of Antimicrobials (ELA): Karnataka-specific ELA to monitor rational use, supported by digital stock databases.
• Restrict Last-Resort Antibiotics: Available only at government pharmacies, with mandatory prescriber justification.
• Quality and Access: Ensure availability of quality antimicrobials in both public and private sectors to prevent self-medication.
• Environmental Regulation: Monitor agriculture run-off, industrial effluents, and enforce proper disposal of expired antibiotics.
• Lab Infrastructure: Propose new Drug & Food Testing Labs in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi.
• Collection Points: Set up for expired antibiotics across farms, clinics, retailers, households.
• Public Awareness: Campaigns to promote rational use and community-level infection prevention.