While antibiotics may not pose major problem if sold as formulated drugs for bonafide human and non-human purposes, their sale in bulk quantities by the distributors and retailers to the aquaculture farmers, especially shrimp aquaculture is a matter of serious concern. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can pose serious health issues including development of Antimicrobial resistance; there have been instances of rejection of shrimp consignments from India on account of detection of antibiotics. If the trend continues the exports can be hit badly leading to severe setback to the aquaculture industry. Therefore there is an urgent need to stop the flow of antibiotics to the aquaculture sector. Coastal Aquaculture Authority under this Department has brought out a list of twenty antibiotics/pharmacologically active substances including chloramphenicol and nitrofurans banned for use in shrimp aquaculture (list enclosed). Accordingly, I request that you may direct the concerned department to create awareness among the stakeholders of aquaculture sector to completely stop use of antibiotics and to take steps against the violators.
That apart, the state Drug Controllers will have to play their role: their effective intervention at level of manufacturers/ wholesalers /dealers alone will make it possible to control the flow of antibiotics into the aquaculture sector.
This issue came up during the 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council held on 14th November 2021 and States have been asked to take necessary steps to curb use of antibiotics in aquaculture. Further, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (COSCO) has instructed the State Drugs Controllers to take necessary steps to strictly regulate the sale and distribution of antibiotics as per the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules, 1945 and to sensitize the chemists and druggist associations under their jurisdiction to sell antibiotics for veterinary use only on the prescription of registered veterinary practitioner. However no tangible action seems to have been taken in this regard and use of antibiotics in aquaculture continues as before.
Therefore I request you to personally review this matter and instruct the State Drug Controllers to take necessary action to strictly monitor and regulate the sale and distribution of antibiotics for veterinary use and to ensure that they are sold only on the prescription of registered veterinary practitioner, that sale of twenty banned antibiotics/pharmacologically active substances for use in shrimp aquaculture is completely stopped, that sale of antibiotic in bulk quantities by the distributors and retailers for veterinary use to the feed manufacturers & aquaculture farmers is properly regulated and monitored and that the chemists and druggists associations under their jurisdiction are appropriately sensitized.
As we have to tackle this menace of “Growing Antimicrobial resistance” together, I will appreciate if early action is taken and a report on the action taken in sent to me for further action at my end.