September 21, 2024
Overview:
Antibiotics, including amoxicillin, are lifesaving drugs used to treat common infections including pneumonia and sore throats. Amoxicillin is the first-choice treatment for both adults and children worldwide. However, many countries face shortages of amoxicillin and similar drugs, putting patients’ health at risk. In many low-income countries, children with pneumonia often die, not because the antibiotics do not work, but because they do not have access to them. These shortages have worsened after COVID-19, as infections have surged.
This One Health Trust co-authored study explored reasons behind the growing global shortages of essential antibiotics, especially amoxicillin, and sought to understand the barriers to sustainable access to these antibiotics. The researchers also studied how antibiotic shortages impact efforts to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and improve public health outcomes globally.
The Question:
What is causing global shortages of essential antibiotics and how do these shortages affect AMR control?
The Findings:
- Generic antibiotics like amoxicillin are sold at very low prices, leaving little profit for manufacturers. This discourages them from producing enough supplies.
- After the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory infections have increased, driving up the need for antibiotics including amoxicillin.
- In low-income countries, problems including stockouts, unreliable suppliers, and high costs make it harder to keep antibiotics in stock.
- Some healthcare systems promote higher-cost, broader-spectrum antibiotics over affordable options such as amoxicillin, which worsens the problem.
Read the study in CMI Communications here.
