Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), also known as drug resistance – occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medications that once killed them or inhibited their growth. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”.

AMR is driven by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents in humans, animals, and agriculture – and makes infections more difficult to manage – leading to longer illness, higher costs, and higher risk of death.

WHO Country Office for India supports various activities and initiatives aligned with priorities of India’s National Action Plan on AMR, including development of sub-national action plans, AMR awareness and understanding activities, networks for surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial consumptions and use, preventing and controlling infections, optimizing antimicrobial use, encouraging research and innovations – in coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Quadripartite organizations.

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AMR Sameeksha

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thumbnail image for amr sameeksha vol 41

Sameeksha is a Hindi word, meaning review. This is a compilation of open access publications and resources on One Health containment of AMR (along with...

Antimicrobial Sameeksha Volume 40
10 November 2025

AMR Sameeksha Volume 40

Sameeksha is a Hindi word, meaning review. This compilation of recent open access publications and resources on containment of AMR (with a bulleted...

thumbnail for AMR Sameeksha Volume 39

Sameeksha is a Hindi word, meaning review. This compilation of recent open access publications and resources on containment of AMR (with a bulleted...

thumbnail for AMR Sameeksha Volume 38
12 September 2025

AMR Sameeksha Volume 38

Sameeksha is a Hindi word, meaning review. This compilation of recent open access publications and resources on containment of AMR (with a bulleted...

Important Documents

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thumbnail image for National action plan on antimicrobial resistance (NAP-AMR) 2017 – 2021

India’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) summarizes the status of AMR containment in India, along with the action plan...

Cover for Delhi Declaration

The Delhi Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance – signed by the hon’ble Ministers for Health and Family Welfare, Consumer Affair and Public...

thumbnail image for Guidance for developing State Action Plans for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (SAPCAR)

A guidance document for Indian States and Union Territories to develop State Action Plans for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (SAPCAR) in alignment...

thumbnail image for Indian Priority Pathogen List

The list of priority bacterial pathogens to incentivise research and development of new antibiotics from an Indian context, was developed collaboratively...

Infographics

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Campaigns

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News

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Publications

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Integrated drug resistance action framework for HIV, hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted infections, 2026–2030

The Integrated Drug Resistance Action Framework for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2026–2030) outlines a unified...

Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP): gonorrhoea treatment optimization, 2024 report

The WHO Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP) monitors Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance to guide treatment...

Regional Roadmap to accelerate actions on antimicrobial resistance in the human health sector in the South-East Asia Region (2025–2030)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to public health, undermining treatment of infectious diseases and progress in modern medicine. Despite...

Global antibiotic resistance surveillance report 2025: summary

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health, undermining the effectiveness of life-saving treatments and placing populations at...

Videos

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Related Health Topics

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