Antibiotic resistance a looming, deadly global threat

The article* highlights the alarming threat antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose to global health and the insufficient efforts by pharmaceutical companies to develop new antibiotics. Schmidt writes that while AMR affects both developed and developing countries, its impact is most severe in the western sub-Saharan Africa.

He emphasises that large corporations are responsible for manufacturing over 200 antibiotic products supplied worldwide. Halting the production of antibiotics by these companies would result in millions of deaths in low- and middle-income countries due to lack of access to appropriate medication.

Schmidt references the Foundation's research on AMR, which finds that there is an urgent need for antibiotics in over 100 countries globally, and highlights the Foundation's call for more research into new antibiotics by pharmaceutical companies.

*This article was also featured in Hindustan Times.