The findings of a new survey by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) underscored the need for directing more efforts for appropriate stewardship in antibiotic use practices.
It stressed on particularly Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIAs) and in mitigation of antimicrobial resistance.
Out of overall antibiotic prescriptions, the third generation cephalosporins was the most commonly prescribed class of antibiotics (33.1 per cent).
Third generation cephalosporins are categorised as the highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA) by WHO.
The third generation cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone, were found to be used in the Indian dairy sector.
Aminoglycosides is including amikacin were reported in the Indian poultry sector.
These antibiotics were being used to prevent, control or treat diseases; the research found.
Widespread use of these important antibiotics both in food animal production and healthcare poses a potential threat.