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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Antimicrobial Resistance Sameeksha Volume 37 Thumbnail

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

Antimicrobial Resistance Sameeksha Volume 36 thumbnail

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

Thumbnail AMR Sameeksha vol 35

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

Cover AMR Sameeksha vol 34

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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The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification of antibiotics for evaluation and monitoring of use

he AWaRe classification is intended as a tool for monitoring antibiotic consumption, defining targets and monitoring the effects of stewardship policies...

In vitro diagnostic tests for serious bacterial infection, including neonatal sepsis, among infants aged 0–59 days: target product profile

An estimated 2.3 million newborns die each year. Low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest mortality burden, with sepsis contributing 15%. It...

Bibliography of Scientific Publications on Antimicrobial Resistance from South-East Asia Region (‎1990-2010)‎

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now the most important challenge being faced by humanity in its fight against infectious diseases. The emergence...

Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (‎GLASS)‎ report: antibiotic use data for 2022

This Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report describes global progress in GLASS-AMU surveillance and antibiotic use...

Videos

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Related Health Topics

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