With superbugs on the rise, are common infections becoming untreatable? – Healthcare News

Since the discovery of Penicillin, antimicrobial resistance has been a major public health crisis. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the physiological adaptation of microorganisms to agents that would be toxic to them. According to scientists and public health experts, AMR is the physiological adaptation of microorganisms to agents that would be toxic to them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that AMR is one of the top global public health and development threats. It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.

“AMR occurs when bacteria evolve and become resistant to the drugs designed to kill or inhibit them,” Dr. Prabhu Vinayagam, Medical advisor, Orchid AMS (a division of Orchid Pharma Pvt. Ltd. told Financial Express.com.

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Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) refers to the phenomenon in which microbes—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—evolve to become resistant to the drugs that once effectively treated infections caused by them.

“This means that the medicines commonly used to cure infections no longer work as expected, rendering previously treatable conditions more difficult, or even impossible, to manage. antimicrobial resistance is a public health crisis because it undermines the effectiveness of medicines that we rely on to treat a wide range of infections. If left unchecked, AMR could turn everyday infections into life-threatening conditions, disrupt medical advances, and impose significant economic burdens. Addressing AMR requires urgent and coordinated global action to ensure the continued effectiveness of antimicrobials and safeguard public health,” Dr. Vinayagam said.

AMR-Global Health Crisis

AMR puts many of the gains of modern medicine at risk. According to WHO, AMR makes infections harder to treat and makes other medical procedures and treatments – such as surgery, caesarean sections and cancer chemotherapy – much riskier.

In the recent year, doctors are increasingly relying on rapid diagnostic tests to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection and determine which antibiotics will be most effective. This reduces the misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

“When antibiotics fail, doctors may explore alternative treatments like phage therapy, which uses viruses that target bacteria, or antimicrobial peptides that fight infections in different ways. In some cases, doctors use combinations of different antibiotics to overcome resistance, as this can reduce the likelihood of bacteria surviving,” Dr. Vinayagam explained.

He also revealed that healthcare institutions are implementing antibiotic stewardship to ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary, and the right antibiotic is used for the right infection. This helps reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics, which can contribute to resistance, he revealed.

According to Dr. Vinayagam AMR develops through genetic mutations and the spread of resistance genes among microorganisms, driven primarily by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, particularly in healthcare and agriculture.

“Poor infection control, lack of sanitation, and inadequate global surveillance further exacerbate the problem. Additionally, the decline in new antibiotic development and the ease of global travel and trade accelerates the spread of resistant pathogens. As resistance increases, the ability to treat infections effectively diminishes, leading to a public health crisis that demands urgent global action to prevent further escalation,” he informed.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jaideep Gogtay, Global Chief Medical Officer, Cipla told Financial Express.com that AMR is a serious concern that as resistant pathogens can spread from one person to another.

“The reason why it’s being referred to as a public health crisis is that the resistant organisms or the resistant bugs can spread from one person to another so that more and more people actually are infected with a resistant bug and more and more people will no longer respond to the same antibiotic. And because this infection of resistant organisms can spread, we call it as a antimicrobial we call it as a public health crisis. Very similar to what’s happened with multidrug resistant tuberculosis in which the tuberculosis bug, which is resistant to many organisms, can spread from person to person,” he explained.

Why urgent action is need to tackle AMR?

The Global health agency maintains that the world is facing an antibiotics pipeline and access crisis. There is an inadequate research and development pipeline in the face of rising levels of resistance, and urgent need for additional measures to ensure equitable access to new and existing vaccines, diagnostics and medicines, it stated.

AMR is distinct from other public health issues because it undermines the very medicines, we rely on for treating infections, making it a long-term, systemic challenge that threatens to reverse many of the advances in medicine, Dr. Vinayagam revealed.

“Unlike other diseases that may have alternative treatments or prevention strategies, AMR leaves us with fewer options for treating infections. Given its global nature, its impact on modern healthcare, and the potential for rising mortality, it demands urgent, coordinated action at local, national, and international levels. Without swift intervention, AMR could turn routine infections into life-threatening conditions, undermining decades of progress in healthcare,” he told Financial Express.com.

He also warned that AMR is a growing global threat that jeopardizes public health and economies. “Resistant infections lead to higher mortality, longer hospital stays, and more costly treatments, straining healthcare systems, especially in low-income countries. AMR is projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050, surpassing cancer, and could cost the global economy up to $100 trillion,” he highlighted.

The impact includes reduced productivity, higher healthcare expenses, and disruptions to global trade. “Immediate action is needed through antimicrobial stewardship, investment in new treatments, improved infection control, and global collaboration to prevent AMR from worsening and protect future public health,” he added.

Moreover, AMR disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to factors such as limited access to healthcare, overuse and misuse of antibiotics, and inadequate infection control measures.

“In these regions, antibiotics are often available over-the-counter, leading to self-medication and improper prescribing. Weak healthcare infrastructure and limited diagnostic tools further contribute to the spread of resistant infections. LMICs also face a higher burden of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and malaria, which are becoming harder to treat. Financial constraints, insufficient surveillance, and increased global travel exacerbate the AMR crisis, making it harder to control in these regions,” he told Financial Express.com.

How AMR makes treatment challenging?

The 2022 Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report highlights alarming resistance rates among prevalent bacterial pathogens.

“Median reported rates in 76 countries of 42% for third-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli and 35% for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are a major concern. For urinary tract infections caused by E. coli, 1 in 5 cases exhibited reduced susceptibility to standard antibiotics like ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, and fluoroquinolones in 2020. This is making it harder to effectively treat common infections,” WHO revealed.

Dr. Vinayagam also highlighted that that AMR has made the treatment of several diseases, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bloodstream infections, much more complex and challenging.

“Resistance to first-line antibiotics is resulting in longer hospital stays, more intensive treatments, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality. Addressing AMR is critical to maintaining the effectiveness of existing treatments and preventing a return to the pre-antibiotic era, where even common infections could be fatal,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gogtay explained that hospital-acquired are the most challenging to treat. “…And that’s because, remember, in hospitals, antibiotics are widely used. And therefore, whatever bugs are actually alive or are spared are those which are resistant to the antibiotics,” he told Financial Express.com.

Moreover, Projections by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicate an anticipated twofold surge in resistance to last-resort antibiotics by 2035, compared to 2005 levels, underscoring the urgent need for robust antimicrobial stewardship practices and enhanced surveillance coverage worldwide.

Can vaccines prevent AMR?

Dr. Vinayagam maintains that vaccination programs and infection prevention measures are essential in the fight against AMR. “By preventing infections, reducing the need for antibiotics, and minimizing the spread of resistant pathogens, these measures help decrease the burden of AMR,” he said.

He also said that vaccination plays a key role in reducing the incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections and is an effective complement to antimicrobial stewardship efforts, infection control practices, and public health initiatives aimed at curbing the rise of AMR.

Dr. Gogtay also emphasised the role of vaccines and said that if the infections can be prevented then the usage of antibiotics will be reduced.

“…if you can prevent infections such as pneumonia or others like meningitis, you can reduce the use of antibiotics. And a reduction in the consumption of antibiotics can actually delay or prevent the development of AMR. Similarly, if we are able to prevent infections by good hygiene, good sanitation practices, good infection prevention in hospital settings, simple rules for following cleanliness, we could avoid getting an infection and, therefore, avoid the use of antibiotics. So if antibiotics are not used, the risk of AMR developing is lowered,” he told Financial Express.com.

What is the role of pharmaceutical companies in tackling AMR?

Dr. Vinayagam believes that pharmaceutical companies can balance innovation with preventing overuse of new drugs by focusing on targeted treatments, promoting antibiotic stewardship programs, and implementing controlled release strategies for new antibiotics.

“They can invest in alternative therapies, such as vaccines and probiotics, and monitor drug usage through post-market surveillance. Collaboration with global health organizations and policymakers ensures responsible prescribing practices,” he said.

Additionally, tiered pricing models and value-based pricing can make drugs accessible while preventing misuse. “By adopting these strategies and working with stakeholders, pharmaceutical companies can foster innovation while helping control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ensuring the responsible use of new drugs,” he added.