The Gujarat government has urged the Centre to strengthen legal provisions against food and drug adulteration and introduce stricter nationwide regulations governing antibiotic use, citing growing concerns over public health safety and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The proposals were presented during the 16th meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) chaired by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.

Representing Gujarat at the meeting, State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya called for amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, arguing that the existing legal framework requires stronger and more deterrent provisions to effectively address food and drug adulteration offences. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Pansheriya stated that current penalties may no longer be sufficient to deal with modern forms of adulteration that pose serious risks to public health.

The minister also expressed concern over the widespread and often irrational use of antibiotics across the country, warning that indiscriminate prescribing practices, over-the-counter sales and self-medication are contributing significantly to the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance. He urged the Union government to formulate and strictly implement a comprehensive national policy to ensure responsible antibiotic use across public and private healthcare systems.

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. According to global estimates published in The Lancet, antimicrobial resistance was associated with nearly 4.95 million deaths worldwide in 2019, including approximately 1.27 million deaths directly attributable to drug resistant infections. India is considered one of the countries facing a substantial burden of antibiotic resistance due to high antibiotic consumption and inconsistent regulation.

The Gujarat government’s recommendations come amid increasing regulatory efforts to curb antibiotic misuse. In 2025, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) inspected more than 4,400 drug sale premises, suspended 603 licenses, permanently cancelled 11 licenses, and conducted multiple enforcement actions targeting antibiotic misuse and illegal sales.

Pansheriya also called for enhanced awareness campaigns across hospitals, medical colleges and healthcare institutions to promote rational prescribing practices and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Public health experts have emphasized that coordinated regulatory action, public awareness and stronger enforcement mechanisms are essential to addressing both food adulteration and antimicrobial resistance.

The proposals reflect growing concerns among policymakers regarding food safety, pharmaceutical regulation and antibiotic stewardship in India. Experts note that stronger legislation, effective enforcement and improved surveillance systems will be critical to protecting public health and ensuring the long term effectiveness of essential medicines.