Policy and regulatory interventions to address antibiotic shortages in low and middle-income countries

The fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is threatened by shortages of quality-assured antibiotics, which pose a serious problem for health systems. When the quantity of marketed and licensed antibiotics that the health system has determined are necessary is deemed insufficient to fulfill patient and public health demands, shortages arise.

Antibiotic scarcity prevention and mitigation strategies are increasingly including national regulatory bodies (NRAs), especially in high-income nations. In order to alleviate antibiotic shortages, WHO and the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) have reviewed the regulatory and policy actions being taken by NRAs and other stakeholders, such as procurement agencies and health ministries. It is suggested that shortages be addressed gradually, taking into account the unique circumstances of each nation.