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Rollins College

Publication Date

Fall 2015

Program Name

India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community

Abstract

The rapid development of biological defense mechanisms by bacteria, or antibiotic resistance, is a dangerously progressing public health concern worldwide. The spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens are not only a threat to the security of healthcare facilities and the stability of modern medicine across the globe, but this phenomenon also creates a particular burden on countries with a high prevalence of infectious disease such as India. This study attempts to explore India’s unique human healthcare causes of the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, comprehend the obstacles that have created roadblocks to change, and outline possible solutions to overcome these challenges. The study was conducted under the advisement of the New Delhi Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy. The main field methods were observation and interviews with doctors, microbiologists, researchers, and public health workers in India; attendance at public lectures and medical conferences; and a review of secondary literature sources. The findings indicate that the causes of antibiotic resistance are multi-faceted, occur at all stages of healthcare delivery, and include the actions and attitudes of many stakeholders, including patients, medical professionals, pharmacists, and drug companies. Findings also detail possible challenges for implementing solutions, such as the absence of comprehensive data, a lack of awareness by the general public and medical communities, an overburdened health system fueled by a scarcity of resources, and delays in the innovation of diagnostic tools and alternative therapies.

Disciplines

Chemicals and Drugs | Medical Pharmacology

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