Lack of Access to Antibiotics Against CRGN
Why in News?
- A recent study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reveals that less than 7% of patients with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) receive appropriate antibiotics. This alarming statistic underscores a significant global health challenge, as inadequate access to effective antibiotics not only leads to high mortality rates but also exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Important Key Points:
-
High Mortality Rates: In 2019, approximately 1.5 million CRGN infections occurred across eight LMICs, resulting in nearly 480,000 deaths.
-
Limited Access to Effective Antibiotics: The study found that appropriate antibiotics were available in only 6.9% of cases on average, with access ranging from 0.2% in Kenya to 14.9% in Mexico and Egypt.
-
India’s Scenario: In India, out of approximately 1 million CRGN infections in 2019, less than 100,000 patients received proper treatment, leading to an estimated 350,000 deaths due to lack of appropriate antibiotics.
-
Contributing Factors: Barriers to accessing effective antibiotics include high costs, limited availability, lack of timely diagnosis, and insufficient healthcare infrastructure.
-
Call for Global Action: Experts emphasize the need for a coordinated global response, drawing parallels to the HIV/AIDS treatment initiatives, to improve access to life-saving antibiotics and curb the spread of AMR.
