India is facing a mounting public health emergency as antibiotic-resistant infections continue to rise, fuelled by widespread misuse of antibiotics and poor infection control in hospitals. Most of these infections are caused by carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria pathogens that are notoriously difficult to treat and can spread rapidly in clinical settings.
According to the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project, between 3 lakh and 10.4 lakh deaths in India in 2019 were linked to bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Experts warn that the situation has since worsened, with the unchecked use of antibiotics deepening the crisis.
Dr. Aravind R, a senior microbiologist leading Kerala’s AMR control initiative, said that inadequate regulation and over-the-counter availability of antibiotics have accelerated resistance. “The lack of a strict antibiotic stewardship system means these powerful drugs are used casually, even for viral infections where they do nothing,” he said.
Another compounding issue is the shortage of new and effective antibiotics. Dr. Sachin Bhagwat, Chief Scientific Officer at Wockhardt Pharma, explained that doctors are being forced to rely on older, toxic drugs like colistin and polymyxin that are both dangerous and often ineffective.
Wockhardt has recently developed Zaynich, a new antibiotic showing strong results against gram-negative bacteria in patients who failed other treatments. It is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and could become a crucial weapon in the fight against resistant infections.
India’s hospitals are the primary breeding grounds for these superbugs. Research indicates that drug-resistant bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae which causes pneumonia, urinary tract, and liver infections are evolving within hospitals rather than in the environment. The World Health Organization lists Klebsiella pneumoniae as a “critical priority” pathogen due to its high resistance and ability to transfer that resistance to other bacteria.
While carbapenem resistance is a global problem, developing countries like India are suffering disproportionately, losing far more lives and resources. Roughly 30% of ICU patients in India are now battling infections that no antibiotic can treat effectively.
Experts say that while rational use of antibiotics and stronger infection control are essential, the long-term solution lies in innovation. “One breakthrough drug like Zaynich can help, but it won’t be enough,” said Dr. Bhagwat. “We need a steady pipeline of new antibiotics to stay ahead in this war against evolving superbugs.”