Global Antibiotic Shortages
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Health
Source: DTE
Context: The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), has highlighted the urgent issue of global antibiotic shortages.
Antibiotic Shortage: Global Data and Examples
• Global Burden: In 2019, AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths and was associated with 4.95 million more (Source: Lancet, 2022).
• Regional Examples:
• United Kingdom: A 2023 shortage of pediatric amoxicillin, used for Strep A, led to treatment delays and fatalities.
• Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): Frequent stockouts of first-line antibiotics exacerbate public health challenges.
• Market Failures: Over 42% of antibiotic shortages are reported compared to other drugs (WHO, 2024).
Reasons behind antibiotic shortage:
• Market and Economic Failures: Antibiotics are less profitable than other drugs, leading to reduced investment in production.
• Supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks deter manufacturing.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Strict regulatory requirements increase production costs.
• Delays in approvals further discourage manufacturers.
• Sudden Demand Surges: Outbreaks of bacterial infections result in erratic demand, straining supply chains.
• Limited Manufacturers: Dependence on a small number of global suppliers increases vulnerability to disruptions.
• Stock Management Issues: Poor procurement practices and lack of national stockpiling systems.
Impacts of antibiotic shortages:
• Increased AMR Risk: Shortages force reliance on suboptimal or broad-spectrum antibiotics, accelerating resistance.
• Higher Mortality and Morbidity: Delayed treatments contribute to preventable deaths. Vulnerable populations, including children, face severe health risks.
• Vulnerable populations, including children, face severe health risks.
• Economic Strain: Prolonged illnesses due to ineffective treatments burden healthcare systems.
• Public Health Challenges: Limited access undermines global health security, especially in Lower- middle income countries (LMICs).
• Quality Concerns: The use of substandard or falsified antibiotics increases the likelihood of treatment failure.
WHO recommendations to counter antibiotic shortages:
• Enhancing Flexibility for Acute Shortages: Temporary imports, extending expiry dates, and waiving certain testing requirements during crises.
• Strengthening Supply Chains: Diversifying suppliers, incentivizing local production, and maintaining strategic stockpiles.
• Increasing Market Visibility: Sharing data on demand and potential shortages to ensure better supply chain coordination.
• Institutionalizing Collaboration: Establishing emergency plans and fostering partnerships between countries and manufacturers.
• Reinforcing Regulatory Frameworks: Streamlining approval processes, enforcing quality controls, and removing substandard products.
Conclusion:
Addressing antibiotic shortages is pivotal to combating AMR and safeguarding global health systems. WHO’s roadmap provides actionable steps to mitigate these shortages and enhance resilience. Strengthening global collaboration and regulatory measures will be key to ensuring equitable and sustainable access to essential antibiotics.
Insta Links:
• Antimicrobial-resistance
Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? (UPSC-2019)
• Genetic predisposition of some people
• Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
• Using antibiotics in livestock farming
• Multiple chronic diseases in some people
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
• 2 and 3 only
• 1, 3 and 4
• 2, 3 and 4
Answer: b)