Punjab Fights Superbugs: New Rules for Antibiotic Use

The Punjab health department has mandated rational antibiotic prescription and required culture and sensitivity testing in government health institutions. These directives aim to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and harmful side effects linked to irrational drug use. Assistant civil surgeons, designated as supervisory officers for the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) program, are tasked with ensuring compliance.

Doctors must prescribe antibiotics only when clinically indicated, adhering to standard guidelines and AMS principles. Comprehensive documentation of diagnosis, drug, dose, route, frequency, and duration is now mandatory. Crucially, appropriate clinical specimens must be collected for culture and sensitivity testing before initiating antibiotics, particularly for recurrent infections, hospital-acquired infections, or treatment failures.

Therapy will be reviewed and adjusted based on microbiological reports and patient outcomes. Institutions with testing facilities must ensure their optimal use, while arrangements for referrals will be made for those without. Regular monitoring by supervisory officers and educational activities for healthcare workers on AMR and AMS are also part of the initiative.