Antimicrobial resistance strains the wallet: Who pays when we hit the wall?

Haruna, Usman Abubakar; Eshun, Gilbert; Okesanya, Olalekan John; Mohammed Elhadi, Yasir Ahmed; Lucero-prisno III, Don Eliseo

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.309252.2127

Antimicrobial resistance strains the wallet: Who pays when we hit the wall?

Articles in Press

Document Type : Letter to the Editor

Authors

¹ Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

² Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Agona-Asamang, Ghana

³ University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

⁴ Healthcare Policy, Global Health Focus, Khartoum, Sudan

⁵ Department of Global Health and Development, London School of hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

10.21608/mid.2024.309252.2127

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health crisis, threatening to escalate healthcare costs and undermine the efficacy of modern medicine. As resistant pathogens render existing treatments ineffective, the economic implications are staggering, with projections estimating that AMR could cost the world $100 trillion by 2050. In Europe, antibiotic resistance incurs nearly €9 billion annually, while in the United States, it adds approximately $20 billion to direct healthcare expenses each year, excluding an estimated $35 billion in lost productivity. The burden of AMR is not uniformly distributed, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and straining healthcare systems. This letter emphasizes the urgent need for a multifaceted approach to combat AMR, including improved stewardship of antimicrobial agents, increased investment in research and development, and equitable access to effective treatment options. By recognizing the interconnectedness of human and environmental health, we can prioritize sustainable solutions to mitigate the financial and human costs associated with this looming health crisis.

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