Chandigarh: On the occasion of the 97th anniversary of the discovery of Penicillin, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Saturday underscored the critical need to adopt Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) approach to counter the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Notably, the Health Minister, on September 15, 2025, launched the dedicated Punjab State Action Plan for the containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (PUNJAB-SAPCAR), making the seventh state in India and a leading state in the region to adopt a dedicated policy aimed at curbing the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, a critical global health challenge.
‘Penicillin, discovered 97 years ago, revolutionised modern medicine. It paved the way for antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-fungals collectively known as antimicrobials which made complex surgeries like organ transplants possible. Yet, in less than a century, microbes have become smarter than human beings, developing resistance at an alarming rate as studied by our premier Institute PGI Chandigarh. This AMR is now one of the biggest challenges being faced by medical science’ said Dr Balbir Singh.
The Minister warned that if the current trend continues, many of the medical advances of the last century could be undone. ‘We are losing effective antimicrobials faster than new ones are being discovered. This means cheaper, frontline drugs are failing, forcing doctors to use costlier alternatives even for common infections’.
Pertinently, Punjab-SAPCAR introduces the RIVERS approach as proposed by stakeholder Fortis Hospital Mohali a six-strategic-priority framework designed to tackle AMR comprehensively. Each letter in RIVERS represents a key area of intervention, collectively aiming to strengthen surveillance, promote rational use of antibiotics, enhance inter-sectoral coordination, and raise public awareness.
Dr Singh expressed hope that by the 100th anniversary of Penicillin’s discovery on September 28, 2028, Punjab would have made significant progress in curbing AMR through collective action.
