Clinical pipeline of new antibiotics remains small, global report highlights

Drawing on the findings from the 2020 AMR Benchmark, the Pharmaceutical Journal looks at how the clinical pipeline of antibiotics for priority infections remains small. Yet, a quarter of clinical-stage antibiotics are supported by plans to ensure better access and good stewardship after launch compared to 7% in 2018. 

 It adds that, with such a small pipeline, the need for access and stewardship plans is “more acute”, particularly as the candidates currently without plans include antibiotics needed to “combat superbugs, such as Clostridium difficile, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and MRSA”.

The article then shifts its focus to the many antibiotics that remain unavailable in low- and middle-income countries. In response to these 'access gap' the article features a quote from Philip Howard, a consultant antimicrobial pharmacist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, stating that the Benchmark report was a “timely reminder” that too little was happening to improve the antibiotic pipeline.