Global Report Warns of Major Antibiotic Access Gaps in Africa

For KT Press, Daniel Sabiiti covers the launch of the 2026 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Benchmark, highlighting key findings from the report, including the drop in antimicrobial pipeline projects and AMR’s disproportionate effect on children.

The article highlights the 35% decline in antibiotic pipeline projects being made by large, research-based pharmaceutical companies since the release of the last Benchmark in 2021.

It also mentions that children are disproportionately affected by AMR, and the lack of antimicrobial projects that are designed for paediatric use.

Claudia Martínez, Director of Research at the Access to Medicine Foundation is quoted: “We see a lack of innovation for children’s cases, with only five projects, three of which are adaptations from adult programmes. This is a problem because they rarely reach the wider population."

This is especially concerning in sub-Saharan Africa, where in 17 countries, none of the companies assessed by the Benchmark have registered paediatric versions of key antimicrobial medicines, the article notes.

“From research and development through manufacturing, to access, stewardship and measuring real-world patient reach, the Benchmark shows the potential for companies to adopt more comprehensive approaches,” Claudia said. “But we need intensified, industry-wide action.”