Global increase and geographic convergence in antibiotic consumption between 2000 and 2015

Abstract

Significance Antibiotic resistance, driven by antibiotic consumption, is a growing global health threat. Our report on antibiotic use in 76 countries over 16 years provides an up-to-date comprehensive assessment of global trends in antibiotic consumption. We find that the antibiotic consumption rate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been converging to (and in some countries surpassing) levels typically observed in high-income countries. However, inequities in drug access persist, as many LMICs continue to be burdened with high rates of infectious disease-related mortality and low rates of antibiotic consumption. Our findings emphasize the need for global surveillance of antibiotic consumption to support policies to reduce antibiotic consumption and resistance while providing access to these lifesaving drugs.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• University of Antwerp BE
• Johns Hopkins Medicine US
• Johns Hopkins University US
• University of Washington US
• Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy US
• ETH Zurich CH
• Princeton University US

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