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New Delhi, May 2, 2025 – A recent study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases has revealed a concerning gap in the treatment of bacterial infections in India. According to the analysis, only about 8 percent of bacterial infections detected in 2019 were treated appropriately, highlighting a significant public health challenge in the country and other low- and middle-income nations.
Key Findings from the Study
The study focused on eight countries, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Mexico, examining infections resistant to carbapenems – a class of antibiotics often reserved for severe infections typically acquired in hospital settings. Carbapenem-resistant infections pose a serious threat as they limit treatment options and increase the risk of mortality.
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In 2019, nearly 1.5 million (15 lakh) carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections were reported across the eight countries.
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Of these, only slightly over 100,000 treatment courses were procured, resulting in just 6.9% of patients receiving appropriate treatment.
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India accounted for the majority of these infections, with over 1 million cases, and procured approximately 80.5% of the treatment courses (83,468 courses), leading to only 7.8% of infections being treated appropriately.
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The most commonly procured antibiotic was tigecycline, typically used in hospitals for serious infections.
The Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly recognized as a major global health threat. The study cites projections from a 2024 Lancet report estimating that over 39 million people worldwide could die from antibiotic-resistant infections in the next 25 years, with South Asia expected to bear a significant portion of this burden.
Between 1990 and 2021, over one million deaths annually were attributed to antibiotic resistance, where bacteria evolve to withstand drugs designed to kill them, rendering many standard treatments ineffective.
Data Sources and Implications
The analysis utilized data from the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) study, which systematically examined the burden of bacterial AMR from 1990 to 2021, alongside healthcare procurement data from IQVIA, a US-based life sciences company.
The authors emphasized that these findings provide the most current overview of care for antimicrobial-resistant infections in the studied countries. They called for urgent and meaningful action by global and national policymakers to address this treatment gap and curb the spread of resistant infections.
Conclusion
The study highlights a critical need to improve access to effective antibiotics and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs in India and other low- and middle-income countries. Without decisive interventions, the public health impact of antibiotic resistance is likely to escalate, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates.
Disclaimer
This article is based on findings published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and related studies as of 2019 and 2024. The data reflects the situation at the time of the study and may not account for recent developments or interventions in antibiotic resistance management. Readers are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals and official sources for the latest information and guidance.
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