PHARMA — India overusing powerful 'watch' antibiotics, underusing others, study finds

India is excessively prescribing powerful 'watch' antibiotics while underutilizing first-line 'access' and last-resort 'reserve' drugs, a study in The Lancet Public Health reveals. The country's actual consumption is 18.3 defined daily doses (DID) per 1,000 people, compared to an estimated ideal of 14.7 DID. This imbalance, with 'watch' drugs overused at 9.3 DID versus a need for 6 DID, heightens the risk of antimicrobial resistance.