Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious challenges facing modern medicine, and India carries a particularly heavy burden of it. Infections that were once routinely treatable are becoming harder to manage.
Much of the problem traces back to everyday decisions made outside hospitals — in homes, and at the pharmacy counter.
How resistance actually develops
Bacteria reproduce rapidly, and each generation carries small genetic variations. When a population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic, the most susceptible organisms die first. Any that happen to carry a variation allowing them to survive will persist — and then multiply without competition.
Crucially, it is the bacteria that become resistant, not the person. A resistant strain can spread to family members, colleagues and the wider community.
The most common mistakes
Four patterns account for a large share of avoidable resistance:
- •Stopping the course early because symptoms improved — feeling better means the most susceptible bacteria have died, not that the infection is cleared
- •Buying antibiotics without a prescription, which remains common despite being unlawful for Schedule H medicines
- •Taking antibiotics for viral illnesses such as colds, most sore throats and influenza, against which they have no effect whatsoever
- •Keeping leftover antibiotics and using them later, or sharing them with family members for different symptoms
Why antibiotics do nothing for a viral illness
Antibiotics work by attacking structures and processes specific to bacteria — cell walls, bacterial protein synthesis, bacterial DNA replication. Viruses have none of these. They replicate inside human cells using entirely different machinery.
Taking an antibiotic for a viral infection therefore delivers no benefit at all, while still exposing the harmless bacteria in your gut and elsewhere to selection pressure — and still carrying the risk of side effects.
What patients can do
The practical steps are straightforward:
- •Take antibiotics only when a registered medical practitioner prescribes them
- •Complete the full course exactly as directed, even after you feel well — unless your doctor tells you to stop
- •Never keep leftovers for future use, and never share them
- •Do not pressure a doctor to prescribe antibiotics for a viral illness
- •Return unused medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal rather than discarding them in household waste
- •Reduce infection risk in the first place through hand hygiene and staying up to date with vaccinations
The role of the supply chain
Resistance is not only a prescribing issue. Substandard medicines that deliver less active ingredient than labelled expose bacteria to sub-therapeutic doses — precisely the conditions that select for resistance.
This is why quality assurance in the pharmaceutical supply chain matters beyond the individual patient. Sourcing from WHO-GMP certified facilities, verifying each batch against its Certificate of Analysis, and maintaining proper storage conditions are all part of the same public health picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I feel better, why continue the antibiotic?
Improvement means the most susceptible bacteria have been killed. Hardier organisms may remain, and stopping early gives precisely those the opportunity to multiply. Always follow your doctor's instruction on duration.
Can I buy antibiotics without a prescription in India?
No. Antibiotics are Schedule H medicines and legally require a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Pharmacies dispensing them without one are acting unlawfully.
Do antibiotics help a common cold?
No. Colds are viral, and antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Taking them unnecessarily contributes to resistance without offering any benefit.
Is it safe to use antibiotics left over from a previous illness?
No. The medicine may be wrong for your current problem, the dose or duration may be inappropriate, and it may have degraded. Consult a doctor instead.
Medical disclaimer. This article is general health education and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose any condition and does not recommend any medicine for any individual. Prescription medicines must be taken only on the advice of a registered medical practitioner. If you have symptoms or health concerns, please consult a qualified doctor.
From the Keroli Healthcare portfolio
Listed for the information of healthcare professionals and trade partners. This is not a treatment recommendation — product selection is a matter for the prescribing doctor.
