• AMR is defined as resistance of microorganisms to an antimicrobial agent to which they were first sensitive. The present serious concern about AMR is that multiple types of bacteria, particularly in the Indian context — E. coli, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, enterococcus — have even become resistant to some of the latest generation antibiotics. 
• Patients who get infections with these resistant strains of bacteria have a higher possibility of poorer health outcomes due to the resistance. 

Factors causing AMR

• First, the inappropriate use of antibiotics in non-bacterial infections, both because of prescribing practices and the use of over-the-counter antibiotics. 
• Second, inadequate laboratory facilities to inform clinicians rapidly about what would be an appropriate antibiotic even in bacterial infections, based on cultures. So, most clinicians are shooting in the dark. 
• Third, the lack of adequate training in antibiotic selection, escalation, and de-escalation.
• Fourth, inadequate monitoring of AMR and control of antibiotic prescription and dispensing practices by health systems in spite of repeated warnings.
• And fifth, the incentivisation of prescribing practices by the pharmaceutical industry.
• Inappropriate use of antibiotics and other molecules used to treat or prevent infections in the human, animal and agricultural sectors generates bugs that are resistant to these drugs.
• Inadequate sanitation in the community and improper infection prevention in healthcare institutions helps spread these superbugs.

Measures taken by the Central government most recently to control AMR in India

• The national policy on antibiotics and National Policy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance. 
• Banning  over-the-counter use of antibiotics (H1 rule), though this was not implemented. The 2019 ban by the Indian government on the use of colistin as a growth promotional agent in poultry farming is a significant step in regulating antibiotic use.

Scientific developments to tackle AMR

• Zosurabalpin stands out as a promising new candidate, offering a potential new way to tackle drug-resistant Acinetobacter infections.
• Cefephime-Zidebactum , Cefiderocol are medications in trial phases to tackle AMR.
• Bacteriophage therapy (Bacteriophages, simply known as phages, are viruses that specifically target and annihilate bacteria) is emerging as a potent weapon against bacterial infections in humans.