Social (In)equities and Ethical Challenges: Role of Information Practices in Antimicrobial Resistance in India

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance has been described as a “slow-moving Tsunami” and one of the top global health threats that affect social groups inequitably, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper analyses social inequities and ethical implications related to antibiotic use in India and how information systems can help mitigate them. India is a global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) hotspot, showing relative policy inertia in addressing this grand challenge. The paper describes two interconnected streams of work. First, it takes an ecosystem perspective to understand inequities in practices around the prescription, dispensing, and consumption of antibiotics. Second, it analyzes the digital’s potential role in addressing these inequities. As a result, the paper identifies four key determinants of social inequity and their ethical implications. Next, the paper identifies the opportunities and challenges in applying digital to address these inequities. This paper thus seeks to make a vital contribution to IS research on an area of immense societal value, particularly in informing how the potential of the digital can be effectively materialized.