The Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) of the United Nations recently released a report highlighting the urgent need for greater action towards Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The report reveals an alarming potential for ‘superbugs,’ strains of bacteria resistant to most commonly used antibiotics today, to claim up to 10 million lives a year if not addressed promptly.
AMR refers to the adaptability of microbes including bacteria, viruses, and some parasites, to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics, antivirals, and antimalarials. This resistance renders standard treatments ineffective, allowing infections to persist and potentially spread to others.
Frightening Findings of the IACG Report
Countries across all income levels have reported worrying levels of resistance. This global issue threatens to make common diseases untreatable and lifesaving medical procedures riskier to perform. It is estimated that 2.4 million people could die in high-income countries alone between 2015 and 2050 due to AMR.
Issues of inequity and lack of affordable access to antimicrobials also contribute to this global health crisis, with the report linking these factors to the deaths of nearly six million people annually, including a million children from preventable sepsis and pneumonia.
| Year | Estimated Deaths Due to AMR |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 700,000 |
| 2050 (projected) | 10 million |
The Economic Impact of Uncontrolled AMR
Uncontrolled AMR holds significant economic implications, comparable to the shocks experienced during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. These include dramatically increased healthcare expenditures and impacts on food, feed production, trade and livelihoods, leading to heightened poverty and inequality.
Recommendations from the Report
The IACG report puts forth several recommendations to tackle AMR effectively. These include responsible use of antimicrobials across sectors, stopping the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion in healthy animals, increased investment in new antimicrobials, improved waste management, and the development of alternatives to antimicrobials.
Additionally, implementing national antimicrobial resistance action plans is crucial. However, addressing the financing and capacity constraints faced by many resource-poor countries remains a significant challenge.
Global Efforts Towards Resolving AMR
In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified antibiotics into three groups and issued guidance for their usage to treat 21 of the most common infections. The first group includes indispensable medicines like Amoxicillin, while the second consists of drugs like carbapenems that are losing effectiveness. The third group comprises ‘last resort’ antibiotics like colistin, recommended for use sparingly and only in emergencies.
Adopting National Measures to Combat AMR: The Case of India
India provides a compelling example of how national measures can be adopted to fight AMR. In 2012, India’s medical societies adopted the Chennai Declaration, outlining national recommendations to promote antibiotic stewardship. Additionally, the Red Line campaign was launched to discourage over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, marking prescription-only antibiotics with a red line.
While guidelines are an important step, it’s critical that governments, medical associations, and hospitals commit to tackling the antibiotic crisis together. As indicated in the U.N. report, the need to address AMR is urgent, and it is a responsibility that must be shared by stakeholders at all levels.