The Union Health Ministry has proposed banning the use of two groups of antibiotics — carboxypenicillins and phosphonic acid derivatives — in animals, as India moves to align its antimicrobial-use rules with global standards and curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

In a draft notification, the ministry proposed prohibiting the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and use of formulations containing the two groups of antibiotics in animals, saying safer alternatives were available.

“The central government is satisfied that the use of drug formulations containing any antimicrobials or group of antimicrobials and their formulations as listed, in animals are likely to involve risk to humans,” the gazette notification stated.

The move follows a recommendation from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), the highest statutory body advising the government on technical matters related to drugs in India.

At its meeting on April 24, 2025, the DTAB considered a proposal to prohibit 37 antimicrobials from veterinary use following a request from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The board noted that none of the 37 antimicrobials had been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for veterinary use.

Of these, the DTAB recommended banning 34 antimicrobials listed under European Union regulations as reserved for treating certain infections in humans. The EU list comprises 18 antibiotics, 18 antivirals and one antiprotozoal.

The DTAB, however, sought the views of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) on the remaining three groups — carboxypenicillins, combinations of cephalosporins with beta-lactamase inhibitors, and phosphonic acid derivatives — before taking a decision.

The latest draft notification covers two of these three groups — carboxypenicillins and phosphonic acid derivatives.

The move comes as India tightens rules governing antimicrobial use in food-producing animals amid concerns over AMR and new European Union requirements for animal-origin food imports. EU rules prohibit the use in animals of certain antimicrobials reserved for humans or their presence in animal products entering the bloc.