To tackle AMR, the world needs sustainable access to antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing issue that needs urgent attention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The restricted use of antibiotics has been encouraged to slow down drug resistance, but it has overshadowed the importance of people getting access to the antibiotics they need today, particularly in these countries. Sustainable access to antibiotics is necessary to prevent the rise and spread of AMR, as it avoids a trade-off between accelerating the rise and spreading of drug-resistant infections and putting future generations in jeopardy. In contrast, millions of people in low- and middle-income countries die every year due to unequal access to basic antibiotics. Historical reasons for these disparities include market failures, lack of market incentives, and perceived lack of demand for antibiotics. Governments may now invest their resources in measures that prevent bacterial infections, such as infection prevention and control, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and vaccination. However, it is impossible to prevent all infections, so all countries need innovation coupled with access to good quality and effective antibiotics.