Asia-Pacific in the Eye of AMR Storm

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat with clinical, societal and economic impact to the entire Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The World Bank forecasts that APAC will account for 47% of the AMR-related deaths worldwide, due to a confluence of factors including: high resistance rates, insufficient infrastructure and challenges to the affordability of managing AMR.

The rising trend is projected to result in an economic burden up to 1% of the region’s GDP by 2050. Given the increasing relevance of AMR during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for cost-effective diagnostics and therapeutics is critical to redefining strategies to tackle AMR. Nurturing innovation within AMR management can help with a necessary paradigm shift that will achieve the goal of improved patient access and reduce the burdens that accompany AMR.

In this Special Report, we examine current efforts in the region to combat AMR and identify the challenges undercutting the full impact of these initiatives in Asia. We explore innovative solutions in AMR diagnostics, research and development (R&D), and commercialization that can jumpstart programs in the space, provide health and socio-economic value to APAC nations and ultimately reverse the rising AMR trend.