Study says patient perceptions drive frivolous antibiotic use in India

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-09-11 01:43:22 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-11 07:56:13

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India's antibiotic consumption, half a billion prescriptions annually in the private sector alone, could be contributing to the global rise in antibiotic resistance.

A recent study indicates that Indian patients' beliefs and perceptions regarding antibiotics drive frivolous use, despite policies and educational efforts to curb it. According to the study, which interviewed patients and healthcare providers in India, patients frequently requested antibiotics and perceived them as a safer and more effective means of treatment than other medications. Additionally, the study found that patients' trust in doctors meant they did not always adhere to prescribed treatments.

The issue is further complicated by a lack of regulation in the private healthcare sector, with the study revealing that doctors often provided antibiotics without a prescription or issued prescriptions without examining patients. This situation leads to antibiotic overuse and contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can transmit diseases that are harder to treat.

The study's lead author, Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan, argues that tackling antibiotic resistance requires addressing the behaviour of both patients and doctors and that simply educating patients is not enough. He stresses the need for reforms to India's healthcare system and for policies that restrict antibiotic over-the-counter sales.

The findings paint a startling picture of a crucial global healthcare issue in which patient perceptions and healthcare practices in the private sector appear to be contributing to a significant public health risk with potentially catastrophic consequences.

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