Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time, threatening to undermine decades of medical progress. In India, where antibiotic misuse is widespread and healthcare access remains uneven, AMR presents an urgent crisis. Recognizing this, Member of Parliament from India, Hon. Niranjan Reddy has emerged as a leading advocate for AMR containment, leveraging his legislative influence and global collaborations to push for policy action. His engagement with UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health has further shaped his vision, providing him with a platform to amplify his advocacy at both national and international levels.
From Parliament to the United Nations: A Legislator’s Commitment to AMR
Hon. Reddy’s dedication to addressing AMR has taken him beyond the corridors of the Indian Parliament. In September 2024, he participated in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Week, engaging in high-level discussions on global health and AMR. Reflecting on his experience, he describes it as a transformative moment that reinforced the urgent need for cross-sectoral, coordinated action.
“AMR is not just a health issue, it affects food security, economic stability, and global development. Countries that have successfully contained AMR have done so through robust surveillance systems, well-enforced antibiotic regulations, and interdisciplinary collaboration under the One Health approach,” he shared.
His engagement at UNGA Week deepened his commitment to data-driven policymaking, drawing lessons from nations that have successfully integrated real-time surveillance, AI-driven analytics, and national antibiotic stewardship programs into their AMR strategies. He also emphasized the economic burden of AMR, highlighting that resistance to antibiotics is not just a health threat but an economic crisis, with potential GDP losses projected to reach trillions globally by 2050.
At the global level, AMR is an existential health and economic challenge. In 2019, drug-resistant infections were linked to 4.95 million deaths worldwide and projections indicate that by 2030, AMR could lead to GDP losses of up to US$ 3.4 trillion per year and add US$ 1 trillion annually to healthcare costs by 2050. The increasingly interconnected nature of the modern world means that antibiotic resistance knows no borders, the presence of the NDM superbug in virtually every country highlights this reality. Without urgent and coordinated action, AMR threatens to reverse decades of progress in modern medicine.
Driving Legislative Action: The AMR Resolution in the Rajya Sabha (Upper house of the Indian Parliament)
As a policymaker, Hon. Reddy is taking concrete steps within India’s legislative framework to ensure AMR remains a national priority. He recently introduced a Private Members’ Resolution on AMR in the Rajya Sabha, calling for:
- Stronger surveillance and data transparency to track antibiotic use and resistance trends.
- Improved regulatory oversight to curb antibiotic overuse in healthcare, agriculture, and industry.
- Dedicated funding for AMR initiatives, ensuring sustained investment in research, prevention, and alternative treatments.
- Greater global collaboration, positioning India as a leader in the global fight against AMR.
To keep AMR at the forefront, Hon. Reddy has already raised the issue during his speech in the Winter Session, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated action.
However, his efforts do not stop here. As he states, “I intend to highlight this issue further through parliamentary interventions such as Special Mentions, Zero Hour, and Question Hour, ensuring that AMR continues to be debated and addressed at the highest levels of government”. Hon. Reddy also underscores the need for the Standing Committee on Health to produce a comprehensive report on AMR, critically evaluating current government measures and identifying policy gaps to strengthen the national response.
Hon. Reddy’s resolution also highlights India’s unique strengths, a thriving pharmaceutical sector, advanced research capabilities, and innovative digital health solutions, as key assets in tackling AMR both domestically and internationally.
The Role of UNITE Parliamentarians Network: Strengthening AMR Advocacy
Hon. Reddy credits UNITE for providing a crucial platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and policy engagement. Through initiatives like the UNITE AMR Working Group and the Let’s Talk Health series in the Asia-Pacific region, he has been able to exchange ideas with global health leaders, learn from international best practices, and refine his approach to legislative advocacy.
The ability to access critical data, policy insights, and technical expertise through UNITE has strengthened my work on AMR. The discussions facilitated by UNITE have helped me push for a more integrated, cross-sectoral approach, ensuring AMR is recognized not just as a health issue but as a broader developmental challenge.
UNITE’s support during UNGA Week also ensured that AMR remained at the forefront of the global health agenda, reinforcing the need for political will, financing, and coordinated international action.
A Call to Action: Parliamentarians as Champions of AMR Containment
Hon. Reddy urges fellow parliamentarians, both in India and globally, to engage in international health dialogues like the UNGA and to prioritize evidence-based policy solutions in their own legislatures.
AMR is a silent pandemic. Unlike COVID-19, it doesn’t strike suddenly, but its long-term impact could be even more devastating. Parliamentarians must take proactive steps to ensure stronger antibiotic stewardship, increased investment in research, and stricter enforcement of regulations across human health, veterinary, and environmental sectors.
Looking ahead, Hon. Reddy envisions continued collaboration with UNITE to strengthen legislative advocacy, leverage global best practices, and drive AMR awareness at both national and community levels. With sustained political engagement and strategic partnerships, India has the potential to be a global leader in AMR containment.
The time to act is now.
