The changing landscape of antimicrobial resistance and use in South Africa: The need for access to new antibiotics: A position paper

• Published in: South African medical journal Vol. 114; no. 10; pp. 26 - 32
• Main Authors: Finlayson, H, Chibabhai, V, Jeena, P, Kolman, S, Lowman, W, Manzini, T C, Nana, T, Nuttall, J, Parker, A, Skosana, P, Ueckermann, V, Wise, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa South African Medical Association NPC 01.10.2024; Health & Medical Publishing Group; South African Medical Association
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; antibiotic stewardship; Antibiotics; antimicrobial access; Antimicrobial resistance; Antimicrobial stewardship; Antimicrobial use; AwaRE antibiotics; Complications and side effects; Drug resistance in microorganisms; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Prevention; Public health; Risk factors; South Africa; Supply and demand; South Africa
• ISSN: 0256-9574; 2078-5135
• DOI: 10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i10.2348

Antibiotic resistance is a global threat, with a disproportionate burden of mortality in low- and middle-income countries. It is increasing in both the public and private healthcare sectors within South Africa, especially in Gram-negative organisms, and is associated with increased use of World Health Organization watch and reserve antibiotics. There is a need for improved access to new antibiotics to treat infections caused by drug-resistant organisms in order to limit side-effects and improve patient outcomes of currently available antibiotics. We propose the responsible introduction of these new antibiotics with both administrative and clinical oversight in order to preserve the longevity of these precious antibiotics.