In Odisha a large number of the Ayush doctors are residing in the rural setting and most of the
primary health centers and managed by them. In the absence of trained doctors, they are bound
or forced to prescribe allopathic medicine. One hand the Ayush prescribers are saving the
patient life by assessing the antibiotics, on the other hand they may provide irrational antibiotic
treatment due to lack of proper training, which also enhance the resistance burden. There is a
lacuna of information regarding perception and awareness of Ayurveda and homoeopathy
prescribers on antibiotic prescription and resistance. This study aims to explore the perception
and awareness of Ayurveda and homoeopathy prescribers on antibiotic prescription and
resistance. Sixteen qualitative interviews were conducted among Ayurveda and homeopathic
doctors in order to explore their perception on antibiotic prescription and resistance
development. This study was carried out in the four districts (Malkanagiri, Rayagada, Khordha
and Balasore) of Odisha, India. Content analysis was used for data analysis. The participants
viewed that they are prescribing antibiotic at the time of emergency to safe life of the people.
They viewed that resistance development occurs due to incomplete course and dose of
antibiotics. According to them, they are not formally trained or allowed to prescribe antibiotics,
the situational factors impel them to antibiotic prescription. They suggest there is a need for
formal training on antibiotic prescription for common infectious diseases in order to rationalize
the antibiotic use. This study will be help to generate evidence for policy advocacy of rational
use of antibiotics in order to minimize the inappropriate antibiotic use and reduce resistance
development.