Adoption of the World Health Organization access, watch reserve index to evaluate and monitor the use of antibiotics at a tertiary care hospital in India

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization classification of antibiotics classifies key antibiotics into access, watch, and reserve (AWaRe) categories. Categorization provides a novel metrics called “AWaRe index” to study and monitor antibiotic consumption globally and within the same setting over time. AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the use of antibiotics in 2 years using the AWaRe index tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in SMS Hospital, Jaipur to collect data regarding total antibiotics consumed between January 2017 and December 2018 from drug distribution centers in hospital premises using the AWaRe classification. Data were then compared on yearly basis. RESULTS: In 2017, 53.31% of antibiotics consumed belonged to access, 40.09% to watch, and 3.40% to reserve category, respectively, as compared to 41.21%, 46.94%, and 8.15%, respectively, in 2018. CONCLUSION: Increased use of watch (17%) and reserve antibiotics (140%) over 1 year with the same infection scenario in a similar setting indicates resistance in evolution.