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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AMR research covers pharmacy education surveillance antibiotic use wastewater and typhoid burden

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...

WHO India rep speaks on antimicrobial resistance week, promoting safe antibiotic use for safer care

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

Anti-microbial Resistance Volume 42 thumbnail
19 February 2026

AMR Sameeksha Volume 42

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

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...

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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Antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control curriculum assessment tool for nursing and midwifery education

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to global health, patient safety and health system resilience. Poor infection prevention and control...

Antimicrobial resistance curriculum assessment tool for pharmacy education

The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) calls for making AMR a core component of professional education and training. In 2018, the World...

Target product profiles for new antibacterial agents

This World Health Organization (WHO) report presents target product profiles (TPPs) for new antibacterial agents for therapy of severe infections caused...

Mainstreaming antimicrobial resistance into primary health care: international workshop report

The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized an international workshop from 18 to 20 March 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand,...

Videos

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Related Health Topics

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