Srinagar, Dec 29: The Union Health Ministry has renewed its warning against self-medication with drugs marked by a red line on their packaging, cautioning that unchecked use of such medicines poses serious public health risks—concerns that are particularly acute in Kashmir.
In an advisory, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said medicines bearing a prominent vertical red line are prescription-only and must not be consumed without consulting a qualified doctor. The ministry has also launched a public awareness campaign titled “Red Line = Doctor’s Prescription” to curb the rampant misuse of antibiotics and address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Across India, antibiotics and several other potent medicines carry the red line marking as a visual warning. Health officials say the sign is meant to discourage over-the-counter use and ensure that such drugs are taken only under medical supervision. However, medical professionals in Kashmir say the advisory underscores a long-standing problem in the region—easy access to prescription medicines without valid prescriptions.
A study conducted between January and June 2023 at Government Medical College, Srinagar, highlights the risks associated with this trend. The research, which analysed wound infections, found a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, particularly methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA). The findings pointed towards possible antibiotic misuse as a contributing factor.
Doctors say the sale of prescription medicines without prescriptions remains widespread in the Valley. In many neighbourhoods, chemists reportedly dispense one or two capsules—often strong antibiotics—for common complaints, without diagnostic tests or follow-up. Such practices, experts warn, are neither evidence-based nor medically safe, and contribute directly to drug resistance.
Reiterating its message, the Health Ministry said medicines with a red line must be taken strictly on a doctor’s advice. “Look out for the red line,” the ministry said in a post on its X handle, stressing that antibiotic misuse is a primary driver of antimicrobial resistance—a global health crisis in which bacteria evolve to withstand treatment, making common infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections harder to cure.
The issue was also highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his December 28 episode of Mann Ki Baat, where he referred to an Indian Council of Medical Research report flagging rising antibiotic resistance in the country.
In a related outreach effort, the MoHFW sought to dispel common myths around antibiotics. “Not all illnesses require antibiotics,” the ministry said, clarifying that antibiotics work only against bacterial infections and should not be used for viral diseases. The advisory urged people to avoid self-medication and consult licensed healthcare providers for the correct drug, dosage and form.
Health experts have echoed the ministry’s concerns, warning that unless regulation of drug sales improves and public awareness deepens, misuse of red-line medicines could pose serious long-term risks to public health in Kashmir.