Key highlights

Red line campaign launched

• The Health Ministry has launched the Red Line Campaign to educate the public about the responsible use of antibiotics.

• Medicines with a red vertical line on their packaging should NEVER be consumed without medical advice to avoid misuse and combat AMR.

Government's commitment to tackling AMR

• The campaign aims to raise awareness about antibiotic misuse and prevent resistance, which is a growing public health crisis in India.

• The National AMR Surveillance Network (NARS-Net) has been established for the surveillance of nine priority pathogens across clinical samples in India.

Annual AMR surveillance and reporting
Reports on AMR surveillance from 2017 to 2023 are available for public access on the NCDC website: NCDC AMR Reports.

National programme on AMR containment

• The National Programme on AMR Containment includes annual campaigns, IEC materials, and public awareness activities such as World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW).

• Focused on judicious antibiotic use and infection prevention through hygiene, the programme aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.

Government guidelines on antibiotic use

• The Health Ministry has issued guidelines for rational antibiotic use, including National Treatment Guidelines and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines.

• Full guidelines and updates are accessible via NCDC AMR Containment.

Funding for AMR surveillance and awareness
The Ministry has steadily increased funding for AMR surveillance and awareness campaigns, with allocations rising from 666.89 lakhs in 2021-22 to 919.00 lakhs in 2023-24.Public education efforts by ICMR
ICMR has partnered with AMR surveillance bodies to conduct nationwide surveys to assess the public's understanding of AMR, refining educational strategies based on findings.Public advisory and call to action

• The Health Ministry urges the public to #ReadTheRed on medicine packaging and always consult licensed healthcare professionals before consuming antibiotics.

• Completing the full course of antibiotics as prescribed is vital to effective treatment and AMR containment.

The Red Line Campaign represents a significant step toward responsible antibiotic use and AMR prevention in India. The government's efforts to raise awareness, enforce prescription requirements, and provide clear guidelines aim to protect public health and ensure that antibiotics remain effective for future generations.