Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be one of the most pressing global health challenges, with drug-resistant infections killing over 1.14 million people annually, surpassing the mortality caused by HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. Despite the urgency, the world is struggling with two key issues: the failure to develop new antibiotics and the inadequate access to existing ones, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The 2024 UN General Assembly meeting on AMR serves as a timely reminder to address these dual crises.
Figure 1: Antibiotic Crisis
Since the last UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM) on AMR in 2016, some progress has been made in innovation and access. However, substantial gaps remain. In many countries, access to older antibiotics is limited due to poor infrastructure and the high cost of new antibiotics, which are often only available in wealthier nations. The report highlights that between 1999 and 2014, less than half of newly developed antibiotics were registered in more than ten countries, and most of these were high-income countries. Even generic antibiotics are facing severe shortages in LMICs.
Beyond just developing new antibiotics, preventing infections before they occur is essential to reducing the burden of AMR. Implementing better infection prevention and control measures, along with improved water, sanitation, hygiene services, and vaccination programs, could reduce AMR-related infections by up to 10% by 2030. However, these measures alone will not suffice. In LMICs, ensuring access to effective antibiotics for drug-resistant infections is paramount.
This report urges policymakers to focus on long-term solutions that integrate innovation with equitable access. This includes reforms in antibiotic registration, market regulation, and improved infrastructure for disease surveillance in LMICs. Governments must prioritize funding for AMR National Action Plans to ensure that antibiotics are developed, manufactured, and distributed to all who need them. There is also a need for public-private partnerships to push the development of antibiotics that are affordable and accessible globally.
Ultimately, innovation and access must go hand in hand. Governments worldwide, especially in high-income countries, need to recognize the value of ensuring global access to effective antibiotics and support efforts to address this crisis. The time for action is now, as further delays could lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Journal Article: Balasegaram, Manica, et al. “The Time to Address the Antibiotic Pipeline and Access Crisis Is Now.” The Lancet.
Summary by Faith Oluwamakinde
