24 November 2024

Drug-resistant infections may be a global killer, associated with nearly five million deaths a year, but a fifth of all these deaths occur in just one single country — India. Yet, despite this and being portrayed by the international community as the ground zero of the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, India may be the heart of the solution. Because, given its scientific expertise, clinical resources and pharmaceutical sector, India has everything it needs to not only reverse the crisis within its own borders but also to lead the way in the global AMR response.

Such solutions are urgently needed because AMR has now reached an alarming tipping point. Having remained relatively flat for more than three decades, the global number of deaths associated with AMR is now expected to rise sharply. By the year 2050 it could increase by 70% and claim as many as 169 million lives. A key way to prevent this is by developing effective new treatments and ensuring that people get access to them. India is uniquely positioned to deliver on both of these, and, moreover, has a strong track record of doing so.