New Delhi: The Government on Thursday rejected the report that claimed drug-resistant superbugs have been traced back to India and can cause multiple organ failure. Earlier, researchers on Wednesday said they had found a new gene called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) in patients in South Asia and in Britain.
Claiming that there was a conflict of interest in the publication of the report, the Government said that the study was funded by the European Union and two pharma companies - Wellcome Trust and Wyeth - who produce the antibiotics for treatment of such cases.
Sources say Karthikeyan K Kumaraswamy, the scientist who was heading the study, received a travel grant from Wyeth. David M Livermore, another scientist on the team, received conference support from numerous pharma companies and also holds shares in AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer, Dechra and GlaxoSmithKline and as Enduring Attorney, manages more holdings in GlaxoSmithKline and Eco Animal.
The Government has also asked for a detailed report from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the Director General of Health Services on the NDM1 superbug.
"This news has created a misconception and a feeling that the point of origin of the bacteria is in India. We have got the matter examined. We have come to a conclusion that this is not the right statement. After seeing the research paper I strongly refute that hospitals in India are the source of the strain and strongly condemn naming the bacteria after New Delhi," said Director General of Health Services RK Srivastav.
"Intellectual scientific freedom is all very good but there is a conflict of interest in this research. Researches like these are examined separately according to the code of ethics," added Srivastav.
The National Centre for Disease Control blamed the report of not having any scientific basis.
"This is not supported by any scientific data. This occurs in nature and in the intestines of animals and humans universally. Similar strains found in the US and UK," said National Centre for Disease Control Director RL Ichhpujani.
Indian Council of Medical Research also flayed the report saying the superbug is a plasmate present in the gene which is present in the environment.
"It's present in our intestines. They may also cause infection. Such plasmates are there in the environment of every country. This plasmate has many genes that increase its ability to be resistant to many antibiotics," ICMR said.
"It's a natural phenomenon. When you link it to our antibiotic policy and say that you may get infection if you get operated in India is totally irrational. Why should India retaliate? Scientifically we have already made a statement that the bacteria with multiple resistant markers are there in nature. They are there in their environment also. They have been reported in Scotland also," it said.
"It's wrong to link this bug to Indian hospitals. To create sensationalism and target a few countries is wrong. This can affect medical tourism but we hope that the media will create awareness."
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