TACKLING DRUG-RESISTANT INFECTIONS GLOBALLY FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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2.
WE MUST REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR
ANTIMICROBIALS SO THE CURRENT
STOCK OF DRUGS LASTS LONGER
At the heart of the problem of rising drug resistance is
rapidly growing global demand for antibiotics, something that
is necessary to improve access to life-saving medicines with
economic development, but all too often reflects excessive
and unnecessary use rather than genuine medical need.
More consumption of antibiotics directly leads to more drug
resistance. Thus, by reducing unnecessary consumption,
we can have a powerful impact on resistance. Doing so is
particularly important because its effect is lasting (all other
things being equal), preserving the effectiveness of existing
and new drugs and slowing the rate at which they need to be
replaced with even newer products.
“More consumption of antibiotics directly
leads to more drug resistance. Thus, by
reducing unnecessary consumption, we can
have a powerful impact on resistance.
”
In this section we detail seven interventions required to reduce
the unnecessary use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs
(the last two - vaccines and improving human capital – are both
a demand and a supply intervention). In all cases, it is crucial that
the focus remains on reducing unnecessary use; access to drugs
that patients actually need should not be reduced. In summary,
we need access not excess.
We need to:
1. Undertake a massive global public awareness campaign
2. Improve hygiene and prevent the spread of infection
3. Reduce unnecessary use of antimicrobials in agriculture
and their dissemination into the environment
4. Improve global surveillance of drug resistance and
antimicrobial consumption in humans and animals
5. Promote new, rapid diagnostics to cut unnecessary
use of antibiotics
6. Promote development and use of vaccines and alternatives
7. Improve the numbers, pay and recognition of people working
in infectious disease