Overview
- A Lancet Public Health analysis led by Aislinn Cook shows many countries overuse broader ‘Watch’ antibiotics while underusing first‑line ‘Access’ drugs and lacking ‘Reserve’ drugs for severe resistant infections.
- The researchers estimated a 2019 global need of about 43 billion daily doses compared with roughly 40.2 billion reported used in 2018, a gap that reflects distribution imbalances rather than a simple global surplus or shortage.
- The study compiled data for 186 countries but filled many missing values with modelled imputations and grouped nations into four clusters, a method that experts say reveals broad patterns but limits precision for poorer regions.
- Of 67 countries with more complete data, 66 exceeded the study’s benchmark for ‘Watch’ use, and about half of examined countries used fewer ‘Reserve’ antibiotics than the study judged necessary for serious multiresistant infections.
- Public‑health authorities and clinicians say the findings point to actionable policy needs—revising guidelines, improving procurement and financing, and closing data gaps—while experts warn cost, patents and weak health systems also restrict access to last‑resort drugs.