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Addressing the Challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance

As World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week begins, significant findings from an independent study led by Viatris Inc. and Medicines for Europe reveal critical trends in the landscape of antibiotic availability. The World Health Organization's alarming projections indicate that by 2050, AMR could result in 10 million annual deaths and a staggering economic burden of $1 trillion globally in healthcare costs. These findings necessitate urgent and coordinated efforts to address vulnerabilities in antibiotic access, particularly concerning off-patent medicines.

Key Findings of the Study

The study, titled "Securing Access, Improving Lives: Strengthening Patients’ Access to Off-Patent Medicines in Europe," provides insight into the ongoing shortages affecting essential antibiotics. Between 2020 and 2024, researchers noted that the average price of the top 10 off-patent antibiotics fell by 10.4%, despite a dramatic increase in production costs driven by rising inflation and labor expenses. Specified details include:

• - An industrial producer cost increase of 31.6%, with labor costs rising by 25.7%.
• - A staggering 88% increase in gas prices and a 62% rise in electricity costs.
• - Notably, prices for amoxicillin dropped by 18.9%, despite its shortages affecting market stability.
• - Over 240 antibiotic medicines were withdrawn from markets across Europe, contributing to 385 documented shortages spanning 16 different countries.

This superficial reduction in antibiotic pricing, while apparently beneficial for consumers, raises alarms about the future availability of these life-saving medications. With manufacturers facing increasing costs yet pressured to lower prices, many are at risk of exiting the market, ultimately leading to further shortages.

Urgent Calls for Policy Reform

The findings underscore the need for immediate reform in pricing and procurement strategies for off-patent medications. Recommendations include:
1. Price Indexation - Align medicine prices with inflation and production costs to ensure manufacturers can operate sustainably.
2. Minimum Price Policies - Establish minimum pricing thresholds to prevent short-term savings that compromise long-term availability.
3. Tiered Pricing Models - Implement dynamic pricing that reflects supplier competition levels, adjusting prices according to market supply.
4. Procurement Reform - Shift towards multi-winner tenders that incorporate non-price criteria, such as supply reliability and environmental standards.

According to Margarida Bajanca, the lead researcher from New Angle, `“Off-patent antibiotics serve as an essential foundation of healthcare — enabling the routine treatment of infections and forming the established standard for surgical prophylaxis.”` The impacts of the current pricing and procurement frameworks threaten not just the economic viability of producing these medicines, but also patient access to essential treatments.

A Wake-Up Call

Adrian van den Hoven, Director General of Medicines for Europe, emphasized the critical juncture at which the pharmaceutical industry stands: `“This report should serve as a wake-up call regarding the societal value we assign to antibiotics.”` As trends in market consolidation prompt discussions about supply security, the need for policymakers to reassess harmful pricing policies becomes increasingly urgent.

Viatris and Medicines for Europe jointly urge policymakers, industry leaders, and the healthcare community to act on these compelling findings. They advocate for systematic reforms that will protect patient access and ensure the sustainability of antibiotic supplies across Europe.

Moving Forward

To safeguard the future of antibiotics and address the current healthcare challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance, a collaborative effort is essential. This includes not only addressing policy gaps but also fostering partnerships between public and private sectors to prioritize patient access to effective treatments. The call for action is clear: protect essential medicines to ensure that healthcare systems can effectively combat infections without further hindrance.

For more details, refer to the full independent study on the Viatris website or follow insights from Medicines for Europe.