Deadly Superbugs on the Rise as Antibiotic Access Declines in India

A recent report reveals that India is facing a significant crisis with antimicrobial resistance, exacerbated by the inability of many patients to access life-saving antibiotics. According to a study conducted by the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), only a small percentage of individuals suffering from carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) infections receive adequate treatment, even as the country accounts for a majority of such cases globally.

The surge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India highlights a dual challenge: while antibiotics are often misused, many patients cannot obtain necessary drugs, resulting in preventable deaths. The disparity in access has left the healthcare system grappling with the growing threat posed by CRGN bacteria, which resist treatment from even powerful antibiotics, raising urgent calls for intervention.

In India, over 1.5 million CRGN infections occur annually, yet only 7.8% of the afflicted receive appropriate therapy. The study emphasizes the dire situation, wherein the very drugs that could save lives are unattainable for those in need, especially in low-income communities. Efforts to combat this crisis must include improving healthcare access, regulating usage, and fostering pharmaceutical innovation to develop new antibiotics to address this pressing health issue.

As a global hotspot for antibiotic resistance, India has the potential to lead in combating AMR, but it requires robust health policies to ensure equitable access to antibiotics while preventing overuse.