Pharmaceutical manufacturing clusters (PMCs) in and around Hyderabad are not responsible for making culturable bacteria drug-resistant, according to a study.

The study was conducted by S Dayananda, professor in the Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, for the Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association - India (BDMA).

Of late, there has been an allegation by some foreign agencies that the residues of PMCs in Hyderabad were responsible for building antibiotic resistance among bacteria.

The methodology was based on collection of samples of water and soil from the PMC regions such as Isnapur-Pashamylaram Industrial Development area as well as from Nallagandla lake located away from PMCs near the University of Hyderabad campus.

"The three-month study showed that the drug-resistant bacterial strains were found in both the samples more or less in equal number,’’ Dayananda told newspersons at a press conference held here on Monday.

"Hence, there exists no evidence to show that PMCs have selectively enriched bacteria to a particular antibiotic,’’ he added.

"This is only a preliminary study,’’ Dayananda said adding that a meta genomic study to arrive at the generic blueprint of soil, water and genetic blue print of drug-resistant bacteria will be taken up to firmly refute any allegations.

The study will take one to two years to be completed.

BDMA President M Jayant Tagore said the industry was keen on refuting allegations that can tarnish the image of Indian drug makers globally by building a scientific data. "If needed, we will conduct similar studies across the country,’’ he added.

R Uday Bhaskar, Director-General, Pharmexcil, said "vested interests'' were campaigning against Indian pharma players in view of the 'strong’ advantages and the export potential of the country going forward.

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