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

TLDR

Antibiotic resistance, driven by consumption, poses a growing global health threat. The study reports antibiotic use in 76 countries over 16 years to assess global trends. The authors analyzed consumption data from 76 countries over 16 years. Consumption in low‑ and middle‑income countries has converged to, and in some cases surpassed, high‑income country levels, yet inequities persist with high infectious disease mortality and low antibiotic use, underscoring the need for global surveillance to guide policies.

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.