Wed Apr 30 23:17:00 UTC 2025: ## India Faces Dual Crisis: Antibiotic Overuse and Lack of Access
**Chennai, May 1, 2025** – A new study published in *The Lancet Infectious Diseases* reveals a stark reality in India’s fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. While overuse of antibiotics contributes to drug resistance, a significant gap in access to appropriate treatment leaves many patients vulnerable.
The research, conducted by the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), analyzed data from eight low- and middle-income countries, including India. The study found that only 7.8% of patients in India with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) infections received the correct antibiotic treatment in 2019. This is slightly higher than the average of 6.9% across all eight nations.
India had nearly 1 million CRGN infections in 2019, yet fewer than 100,000 patients received appropriate treatment, potentially leading to 350,000 deaths, according to the study’s modeling.
Dr. Abdul Ghafur, an infectious diseases specialist, highlighted the paradox: “irrational overuse on one end, and insufficient access on the other.” He urged a two-pronged approach: responsible antibiotic use to preserve existing treatments and ensuring access for those in need.
The study recommends regulatory measures to control antibiotic use and bridge the access gap. Further research is also needed to better understand the barriers to accessing care, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. The findings suggest this dual crisis of antibiotic overuse and lack of access is likely prevalent in other low- and middle-income countries.
First Piper 