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Governing Antimicrobial Resistance: International And Domestic Legal Responses To A Global Public Health Crisis




Amar Dattatraya Raut


ABSTRACT


Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most significant global public health and regulatory challenges of the twenty-first century, threatening healthcare systems, economic stability, and sustainable development. This article examines the evolving international and domestic legal architecture designed to address AMR through a multidisciplinary analysis of law, public health, economics, and scientific governance. The study evaluates the epidemiological and economic dimensions of AMR, highlighting the growing burden of mortality and the projected global financial consequences of unchecked resistance. It critically analyzes international initiatives, including the United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR, the Global Action Plan on AMR, and the One Health approach promoted by international organizations. The article further explores pharmaceutical regulatory reforms, focusing on market failures in antibiotic innovation and the emergence of subscription-based incentive models such as the United Kingdom’s National Health Service model and the proposed United States PASTEUR Act. Special attention is given to veterinary pharmaceutical regulation, agricultural stewardship, and India’s regulatory measures, including restrictions on antibiotic use in food- producing animals and reforms under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Food Safety standards. The paper argues that AMR requires coordinated legal intervention across human health, agriculture, environmental protection, and pharmaceutical innovation. It concludes that stronger international cooperation, enforceable regulatory mechanisms, and integrated One Health governance are essential to prevent AMR from becoming an irreversible global health catastrophe.]


Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, One Health, Public Health Law, Pharmaceutical Regulation, Global Health Governance, Antibiotic Stewardship.



Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research

Abbreviation: IJLLR

ISSN: 2582-8878

Website: www.ijllr.com

Accessibility: Open Access

License: Creative Commons 4.0

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All research articles published in The Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research are fully open access. i.e. immediately freely available to read, download and share. Articles are published under the terms of a Creative Commons license which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

 

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The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the IJLLR or its members. The designations employed in this publication and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IJLLR.

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