Global antibiotic consumption has increased significantly since 2016, research shows

A new study highlights the recent but fluctuating growth in global human antibiotic consumption, one of the main drivers of growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR results in infections that no longer respond to antibiotics (and other antimicrobial drugs) and often leads to longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and higher mortality rates. It is estimated that AMR is associated with almost five million deaths worldwide every year.

Researchers affiliated with the One Health Trust (OHT), the Population Council, GlaxoSmithKline, the University of Zurich, the University of Brussels, Johns Hopkins University and the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health analyzed pharmaceutical sales data from 67 countries from 2016-2016 . 2023 for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic growth on human antibiotic consumption.

The study provides a breakdown of global antibiotic sales in the reported countries by national income level, antibiotic class and antibiotic grouping according to the World Health Organization (WHO) AWaRe classification system for antibiotic stewardship and project consumption until 2030.

The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study found:

• Total sales of antibiotics increased in reporting countries between 2016 and 2023. Sales of antibiotics in 67 reporting countries increased by 16.3% between 2016 and 2023, from 29.5 billion defined daily doses (DDDs) to 34.3 billion DDDs. This result reflected a 10.2% increase in total consumption in these countries, from 13.7 to 15.2 DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day.
• Before the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic consumption was declining in high-income countries and consumption was increasing in middle-income countries. Between 2016 and 2019, antibiotic use (DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day) increased in middle-income countries (9.8 percent), while it decreased in high-income countries (-5.8 percent).
• The COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with an overall decline in antibiotic sales, which was most pronounced in high-income countries. An interrupted time series analysis found that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 resulted in significantly lower antibiotic consumption across all income groups. The decline was most pronounced in high-income countries, where consumption rates fell by 17.8% between 2019 and 2020. In 2021, lower-middle-income countries led the way in antibiotic consumption, as high-income countries experienced a more sustained decline. .
• Middle-income countries experienced an increase in Watch antibiotic sales compared to Access antibiotic sales throughout the study period. High-income countries consistently consumed higher and generally increasing levels of Access antibiotics compared to Watch antibiotics as defined by WHO. Consciously system. Middle-income countries consistently consumed higher and generally increasing Watch antibiotics relative to Access antibiotics.
• Middle-income countries saw the largest increases in antibiotic consumption between 2016 and 2023. All five regions with the largest increases in their antibiotic consumption during the study period were middle-income countries.
• By 2030, global consumption is expected to increase by 52.3% to 75.1 billion DDDs. Global projections based on data from 67 countries show that in 2030, antibiotic consumption is expected to increase by 52.3% from 49.3 billion DDDs (uncertainty margin [UR]: 22.1 to 82.6 percent) for a total of 75.1 (UR: 60.2 to 90.1) billion DDDs.

This study sheds light on recent trends in consumption across countries’ income levels, which can be used to promote the prudent use of antibiotics and other public health interventions that can reduce antibiotic consumption, such as improved infection prevention and control measures and increased vaccination rates for children. The study also has implications for preparing for future pandemics.

According to Dr. Eili Klein, lead author of the study and Senior Fellow at OHT, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily disrupted antibiotic use, but global consumption has recovered quickly and continues to rise at an alarming rate. To address this escalating crisis, we must prioritize reducing inappropriate antibiotic use in high-income countries, while making substantial infrastructure investments in low- and middle-income countries to effectively curb disease transmission.”

Provided by One Health Trust