.New Delhi, May 26 -- The government has banned the import, manufacture, sale and distribution of 15 antibiotics, 18 antivirals and one antiprotozoal drug for animal use, aiming to check the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India.

The step was taken on a request from the commerce ministry, according to the minutes of a recent health ministry meeting.

Since the ban is only meant for animal use, the government has asked states and Union Territories to ensure that these drugs are not sold for animal consumption.

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Antibiotic resistance (AMR) in humans can be transferred by consuming milk, meat, eggs and other dairy products from animals treated with these...