Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Global Impact

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that one in every six bacterial infections worldwide is resistant to antibiotics, with significant contributions from India. The 2025 Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance report highlights that a large proportion of studies on bloodstream, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections come from countries like China, India, and Pakistan.

Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is defined as the ability of bacteria to evolve and resist the effects of drugs designed to kill them. This is a major global health threat as it undermines essential treatments, risking untreatable infections. Gram-negative bacteria, common in various environments, are increasingly resistant, posing severe threats.

Statistics and Trends

• Antibiotic resistance has increased in over 40% of antibiotics monitored over the past five years, with an annual rise of 5-15%.
• Resistance to antibiotics for urinary tract infections is over 30% globally.
• Resistance observed in 40% of E. coli and 55% of K. pneumoniae infections globally against third-generation cephalosporins.

Superbugs and Global Response

Superbugs are strains of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics. Annually, AMR superbugs cause over a million deaths and contribute to nearly five million. Global leaders emphasize urgent action, with the 2024 UNGA meeting underscoring pollution from antibiotic production as a concern.

Study on Superbugs in India

• India, with a high burden of AMR, faces challenges in treating superbugs due to over-the-counter availability and misuse of antibiotics.
• Only 7.8% of estimated cases are properly treated despite procuring 80% of needed antibiotics.

Challenges in India

• Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and antibiotic misuse in healthcare and agriculture contribute to AMR.
• Socio-economic inequalities and climate change exacerbate the issue.
• Infection prevention, clean water access, and vaccination are recommended strategies to mitigate AMR.

Global AMR Statistics

• In 2023, AMR was most prevalent in South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, and the African region.
• Most common in urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections.

Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS)

• Participation in GLASS has increased four-fold since 2016, with 130 countries enrolled by 2024.
• 104 countries, covering 70% of the world’s population, reported AMR data, marking a 300% increase from 2016.