What Is Operation AMRITH? LiverDoc Shares His Experience

Kerala-based liver doctor Dr Cyriac Abby Philips aka LiverDoc, who has a massive following nationwide, on Saturday shared a small experience on the micro-blogging site X, formerly known as Twitter, that made him feel proud and happy as a doctor and as a citizen after he was dined sale of antibiotics by several pharmacies because he did not have a proper prescription.

The Kerala Drug Control Department has banned the sale of drugs and medicines without prescription launching an initiative called Amrith (AMRITH - Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention For Total Health).

Sharing his story, LiverDoc said he went to three pharmacies to buy Amoxycillin antibiotics. All three pharmacists refused because he did not have a prescription. He told the chemists that he is a doctor. But still, they refused to give him antibiotics, because he did not have a proper prescription.

LiverDoc said he was really happy after the chemists denied antibiotics to him.

Lauding Operation Amrith by the Kerala Government, LiverDoc said Operation Amrith, the decision to prevent the overuse of antibiotics in the state, is already in full force.

What Is Operation Amrith?

To stop the excessive use of antibiotics within the state The Kerala Drug Control Department unveiled a new initiative named Operation Amrith (AMRITH - Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention For Total Health) in the first week of January 2024.

Under Operation Amrith Pharmacies have been directed to maintain meticulous records of antibiotic sales under this program. Furthermore, it is mandated that all pharmacies prominently display posters advocating for the necessity of a doctor's prescription for antibiotic purchases.

Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in severe penalties for pharmacies and medical establishments found dispensing antibiotics without proper authorization.

According to the reports, the public can also participate in Operation Amrith by reporting any instances of pharmacies selling antibiotics without prescriptions to the Drug Control Department. To facilitate this, a toll-free number (18004253182) has been provided for lodging complaints against such medical outlets.

Upon receiving a complaint, the department will promptly forward it to the relevant zonal office for verification. Immediate disciplinary measures will be implemented if any violations are substantiated during the investigation process.

Operation Amrith aims to conduct surprise inspections at retail medical shops to identify instances of over-the-counter sales of antibiotics. The initiative underscores the department's commitment to curbing antibiotic misuse and promoting responsible medication practices to safeguard public health.