Antibiotic access crisis fuels spread of superbugs in poorer countries
Listen to article
Less than 7% of people with severe drug-resistant infections in low- and middle-income countries are receiving the antibiotics they need, according to a new study that warns the shortfall is fuelling deaths and driving the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The research, published in "The Lancet Infectious Diseases", estimates nearly 1.5 million infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) bacteria occurred across eight countries in 2019, resulting in almost 480,000 deaths.
Yet, just under 104,000 appropriate antibiotic courses were distributed, covering only 6.9% of cases on average—ranging from as low as 0.2% in Kenya to around 15% in Mexico and Egypt.
"The stark reality is that most people with highly drug-resistant infections are not getting access to the antibiotics they need," said Dr Jennifer Cohn, global access director at the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GardP), which led the study.
CRGN infections—found in pneumonia, bloodstream infections and complicated urinary tract infections—are increasingly common and difficult to treat.
When left without effective drugs, they result in longer illness, higher death rates and greater risk of spreading resistant strains.
Cohn and her colleagues argue that global attention has focused too heavily on antibiotic overuse, while underestimating the lack of access in poorer regions.
'Innovative drugs are being introduced in wealthy nations,' she said. 'But the highest burden is not there.'
The researchers studied data from Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan and South Africa. They matched estimated CRGN cases to sales data of eight effective antibiotics, revealing the large treatment gap.
AMR, which occurs when bacteria evolve to resist treatment, is forecast to kill 1.9 million people a year by 2050 if left unchecked.
The report calls for urgent global investment in equitable access, similar to the international push that brought HIV drugs to Africa.
Barriers to access include limited hospital availability, high treatment costs, and lack of national procurement systems.
'We can't just focus on stewardship in poorer countries and innovation in rich ones,' said Cohn. 'We need both, everywhere, at the same time.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Express Tribune
'HIV cases on rise among youth'
A health expert has delivered a stark warning about the rapid rise in HIV cases among young people, primarily caused by unprotected and unregulated beauty and tattoo services, and shared needle use among drug users. The expert, Dr Faizan, underscored the vital need for regular testing and education. He emphasised the crucial need for regular annual health checks to combat this growing health threat. He revealed that over the last six years, the HIV rate among young people has alarmingly escalated from 2.5 per cent to a staggering 5 per cent, primarily attributed to high-risk behaviours such as frequenting unlicensed beauty parlours and tattoo shops, and injecting drugs with shared syringes. He cautioned young people to exercise extreme caution when using barber shop services, advising them to ensure that new and sterilised equipment is used for shaving and hair cutting to minimise the risk of HIV transmission. He emphasised that unsterilised tattoo needles, shared razors or shaving equipment, and unsterilised nail clippers or piercing equipment can pose a significant risk. "The risk of HIV transmission is real if the equipment is not properly sterilised," he cautioned. "It is crucial for individuals to choose licensed and reputable parlours and tattoo shops, ensure that equipment is sterilised, and avoid sharing personal care items."
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Nishtar officials to face action over HIV case
A joint inquiry committee has submitted its findings to the chief minister of Punjab following an investigation into the infection of 31 dialysis patients with HIV at Nishtar Hospital. The inquiry has recommended disciplinary action against several officials, including the removal of Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University, Dr Mehnaz Khakwani, for administrative negligence. The recommendations, made under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEDA) Act, follow directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The case came to light in October 2024 when over 20 dialysis patients were initially found to be HIV positive. That number later rose to 31 over four months after further screenings. Following the outbreak, the provincial government suspended key medical staff including Dr Ghulam Abbas, former Head of Nephrology; Dr Muhammad Kazim, former Medical Superintendent (MS) of Nishtar Hospital; and faculty members Dr Poonam Khalid and Dr Maleeha Johar. Head Nurse Naheed Parveen and Dr Alamgir Malik were also suspended, while a formal PEDA inquiry was initiated in December 2024. As per the inquiry report, Vice Chancellor Dr Khakwani failed to implement and monitor standard operating procedures (SOPs) across the hospital, and did not take timely action after the incident surfaced. As a result, the committee has recommended her removal and one-year suspension from public service. Former Head of Nephrology Dr Ghulam Abbas has been accused of withholding information about HIV-positive cases and failing to issue necessary written directives. The committee has recommended his compulsory retirement. Dr Poonam Khalid, Associate Professor of Nephrology, is alleged to have been frequently absent and negligent in ward management. A three-year demotion and a fine equal to one month's basic salary have been recommended in her case. The committee found that Dr Muhammad Kazim, the former MS, failed to promptly address the outbreak and was appointed without proper process as an 18-grade officer in a 20-grade position. The committee has recommended censure and withholding of his annual increment for one year. Meanwhile, Dr. Maleeha Johar, Dr. Alamgir Malik, and Head Nurse Naheed Parveen were acquitted of charges. Separately, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Multan has raised concerns about the integrity of the inquiry. In an emergency meeting chaired by Dr Masoodur Rauf Haraj, the PMA alleged that the inquiry failed to determine how the virus was transmitted and focused instead on penalizing Nishtar Medical University's first female Vice Chancellor. The PMA claimed that the inquiry report may have been influenced by a senior university officer with alleged aspirations to become the next vice chancellor. According to the association, this officer reportedly had connections with the inquiry convener and predicted the report's contents in advance. The PMA also pointed out that no genetic sequencing has been conducted to confirm whether HIV transmission occurred through dialysis procedures, and questioned the absence of action against unauthorised medical practitioners.
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Bill Gates on Elon Musk:‘He's Killing the World's Poorest Kids'
Bill Gates has accused Elon Musk of 'killing the world's poorest children' by shutting down US development aid programs that support global health. In an interview with the Financial Times, Gates blamed Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for abruptly dismantling USAID, leading to the expiration of life-saving food and medicine and a potential resurgence of measles, HIV, and polio. 'The picture of the world's richest man killing the world's poorest children is not a pretty one,' Gates said. He specifically cited Musk's cancellation of funding for an HIV-prevention hospital in Gaza Province, Mozambique, based on a mistaken belief that the funds were aiding Hamas. Musk later admitted confusing the region with Gaza in the Middle East. 'I'd love for him to meet the children that have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money,' Gates added. Gates also announced that the Gates Foundation will shut down by 2045, as he plans to spend nearly all his wealth — over $200 billion in 20 years — on health, education, and development. He warned that private philanthropy cannot replace the $44 billion in aid lost from USAID cuts, and accused Musk of acting 'through ignorance.' Their feud dates back years, with Musk previously mocking Gates and calling philanthropy 'bullshit' while promoting market-driven solutions like Tesla and SpaceX
