Why India is a stronghold for superbugs

At the 79th UNGA high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), world leaders emphasized the urgent need for global action against superbugs, particularly in India, which has the world’s highest burden of antibiotic-resistant TB. The invisible pandemic of superbugs is already present, masked by a lack of public awareness and accelerated by climate change. India, one of the largest antibiotic consumers, faces challenges due to widespread misuse of antibiotics, over-the-counter availability, poor sanitation, and overprescription in hospitals and clinics. The misuse of antibiotics in agriculture and poultry farming worsens the crisis, as farmers use antibiotics to treat infections and promote livestock growth, accelerating the spread of resistance genes. India can hold pharmaceutical companies accountable through stricter pollution controls and incentivised actions.