Climate change as a challenge for pharmaceutical storage and tackling antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health issue affecting humans, animals, plants, and the environment. Factors such as lack of infection prevention, over-prescription, patient non-compliance, and misuse of antimicrobials contribute to the crisis. However, the role of antimicrobial storage conditions, such as extreme temperatures, humidity, or light, is often overlooked. Inappropriate storage can degrade the potency of antimicrobials, leading to partial survival and resistance mechanisms. Monitoring storage practices and supply chain surveillance is crucial, and genomic tools can help understand the impact of storage conditions on AMR development.