Listen to Story Most people in Mumbai hardly consult a doctor before buying an antibiotic, according to a recent survey by Fortis Hospitals. The month-long survey conducted on 4,511 people found that misuse of antibiotics remained high in the city leading to an increasing risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a significant public health concern in India . Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria learn to fight off the medicines that were initially designed to kill them.
This makes infections harder to treat and can spread dangerous germs. Overusing or misusing antibiotics , like not finishing a prescription, gives bacteria more chances to adapt and become stronger, reducing the medicine's effectiveness. The doctors noted that AMR is being driven by widespread self-medication and improper antibiotic use.
Through the survey, they aimed to uncover critical gaps in how residents understand and use antibiotics. The survey, which included respondents aged between 26 and 50 years, with 1,157 men and 1,285 women, revealed several concerning trends: Dr S Narayani, Business Head at Fortis Hospitals Maharashtra, said that self-medication based on limited knowledge is fuelling AMR and there needs to be awareness about judicious antibiotic use. The experts also stressed the consequences of misuse.
Dr Anita Mathew, Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Mulund, explained that antibiotics are ineffective against viral illnesses like the flu, which resolve on their own. "Antibiotics ar.