Context: The new WHO report (Incentivising the Development of new antibacterial treatments 2023) highlights progress in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) but also identifies gaps in ensuring a robust pipeline of antibiotic treatments.
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What is AMR?
It refers to the ability of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic drugs. E.g., New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) superbug.
Status of AMR
Nearly 5 million people worldwide lost their lives to it in 2019, and it is expected to cause over 2 million deaths in India alone by 2050. Despite this, the creation of new antibiotics is restricted, and accessing current treatments continues to be a challenge.
What does the Report say
- AMR remains one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity
- 1 in 5 deaths caused by AMR occurred in children under the age of 5.
- If no action is taken, AMR could cost the world’s economy USD 100 trillion by 2050.
- Recommendations by the report: increased investments in research and development, alignment of financing mechanisms, and global efforts to ensure equitable access to antibiotics.
Must Read: Union Cabinet Approved PM-PRANAM Scheme
What are the problems with AMR in India?
AMR is a particular challenge in India due to the high burden of communicable diseases, an overburdened public health system, limited laboratory capacity, inexpensive and widely available antibiotics without prescriptions, Excessive use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry farming etc.
Other initiatives
- India: National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) for 2017-2021 (updating it for 2022-2026)
- Global: One Health Quadripartite: In 2021, the FAO, UNEP, WHO and World Organisation for Animal Health joined to combat AMR.
Conclusion
There is a need for priority actions to accelerate progress, including commitments at the high-level meeting on AMR at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024 and targeted financing mechanisms to address the crisis and ensure equitable access to antibiotics.
Read also:- An Integrated System Of Medicine
