WHO warns against drug-resistant superbugs | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- The WHO warns that the pipeline for new tests and treatments against drug-resistant bacteria is insufficient.
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a top global public health threat, causing over one million deaths annually.
- Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants are the main drivers of drug resistance.
- The number of antibacterial agents in the clinical pipeline has recently dropped from 97 to 90.
- The WHO calls for increased investment in R&D and better distribution of new and existing products.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday in Geneva that there is a severe lack of new tests and treatments in the pipeline to effectively manage the increasing spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially bacterial resistance to antibiotics, is considered a top global public health threat, responsible for more than one million deaths each year. The UN health agency attributes the rise in drug resistance primarily to the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials across humans, animals, and plants, noting that AMR disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. WHO assistant director-general Yukiko Nakatani stated that the pipeline for new treatments and diagnostics is insufficient to tackle the escalating crisis. She stressed the urgent need for greater investment in research and development, alongside dedicated efforts to ensure that new and existing products reach the populations most in need. Furthermore, the WHO reported a concerning drop in the number of antibacterial agents in the clinical pipeline, falling from 97 in 2023 to 90 currently.
