We're all focused on the coronavirus, but there’s another, major threat still lurking: superbugs. And the pandemic is a stark reminder of the need to be prepared for public health crises, particularly the growing danger of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, says Pew in new analysis.
Fact: We need new antibiotics. Superbugs killed 160,000 Americans in 2010—and unless we take action, they’re expected to kill 10 million people per year by 2050.
But there aren’t enough antibiotics in the development pipeline. “According to Pew’s most recent assessment of the antibiotic pipeline, far too few drugs are in development with even the potential to treat the most dangerous superbugs,” writes Pew.
Why are we talking about antibiotics in the context of a virus? “Antibiotics are needed to protect COVID-19 patients who have weakened immune systems (and who may be on ventilators) and are therefore at risk for secondary bacterial infections. Likewise, antibiotics are also critical for patients fighting cancer, receiving dialysis, undergoing surgery, and requiring countless other medical treatments and procedures,” Pew explains.
Jim's Judgment: The need for the administration and Congress to act by helping stimulate innovation has never been more important. We can win this fight by incentivizing innovators to produce new antimicrobials. The recent bipartisan efforts in Washington will help take us closer to this goal. – BIO President & CEO Jim Greenwood
Dig in:
Learn more at www.workingtofightamr.org.
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“Coronavirus treatment guidelines issued by a government panel conclude there is not enough data on some of the most touted drugs—including hydroxychloroquine, which the panel said should not be used outside clinical trials when paired with antibiotics.”
