Antibiotic Resistance National Action Plan Implemented
Summary
Nepal will now require a doctor’s prescription to buy antibiotics as the government implements the Antibiotic Resistance National Action Plan 2080/81–2084/85. The plan tightens controls on human, animal, and fish-sector antibiotic use, with stricter veterinary prescribing rules and recordkeeping systems.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has issued the Antibiotic Resistance National Action Plan (2080/81–2084/85) to curb indiscriminate antibiotic use in humans, animals, and fish health.
- Antibiotics will no longer be sold without a doctor's prescription, and a legal mechanism will track sales, prescriptions, and audits.
- Special restrictions will apply to WHO-designated reserve antibiotics, which will be sold only from hospital pharmacies in special circumstances.
- The five-year plan, based on the One Health approach, has an estimated budget of Rs 4.586 billion and will be implemented through federal, provincial, and local coordination.
