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Rachel V Thomas

Nearly All Countries Overuse Antibiotics; 60% Still Use WHO-Discouraged Drugs: The Lancet

Nearly all countries are overusing antibiotics—particularly those meant for specific conditions—fueling the global threat of <span>antimicrobial resistance</span> (AMR), according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health.

The study, led by researchers from the Universities of London and Oxford, found that 99% of countries overuse "Watch" <span>antibiotics</span>, while 60% continue to use antibiotics that the World Health Organization (WHO) advises should no longer be prescribed.

"Our findings show the world faces a double challenge – while some antibiotics are being overused, millions of people may still lack access to the medicines they need to treat their infections," said Aislinn Cook, lead author and Senior Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology at City St George's, University of London.

<h2>Understanding WHO's AWaRe Classification</h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/shigella-driving-antibiotic-resistant-bacterial-diarrhea-among-gay-men-in-uk-lancet-study-finds-article-155023844" data-type="tilCustomLink">Shigella Driving Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Diarrhea Among Gay Men in UK, Lancet Study Finds</a>

The WHO groups antibiotics into three categories under its AWaRe framework:

<ul><li>Access antibiotics: First-line medicines, such as <span rel="noindex">amoxicillin</span>, recommended for most common <span rel="noindex">bacterial infections</span>.</li><li>Watch antibiotics: Broader-spectrum drugs that should be reserved for specific infections when Access antibiotics are ineffective.</li><li>Reserve antibiotics: Last-resort treatments for severe drug-resistant infections.</li></ul>

In 2024, UN member states agreed that at least 70% of global antibiotic use should come from the Access group by 2030.

Researchers estimated that around 43 billion antibiotic courses were needed globally in 2019—roughly one course per person per year to treat bacterial infections. About 77% of these should have been Access antibiotics, suggesting the UN's 70% target is achievable.

However, analysis of antibiotic use across 67 countries revealed widespread inappropriate prescribing:

<ul><li>Nearly three-quarters of countries used more antibiotics overall than required.</li><li>99% of countries overused Watch antibiotics, increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance.</li><li>More than half of countries and territories underused Reserve antibiotics, potentially limiting treatment options for patients with life-threatening drug-resistant infections.</li><li>60% of countries continued using antibiotics that WHO recommends should no longer be prescribed.</li></ul>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/645-million-people-went-hungry-in-2025-middle-east-conflict-driving-food-prices-un-article-155146692" data-type="tilCustomLink">645 Million People Went Hungry in 2025; Middle East Conflict Driving Food Prices: UN</a>

<h2>Global Inequality in Antibiotic Access</h2>

The study also highlighted major disparities in antibiotic access. Researchers noted that low- and middle-income countries, which bear a higher burden of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, often need greater access to specialized Watch and Reserve antibiotics. 

Yet these medicines are used more frequently in high-income countries, pointing to unequal access rather than clinical need.

<h2>Antibiotic Resistance Rising Among Children</h2>

A separate study found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasingly leaving children vulnerable to common infections.

The research, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and covering 82 countries, found that antibiotic resistance increased across every region between 2004 and 2022, making many life-saving drugs used to treat common childhood infections less effective.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study found that babies, children in intensive care, and those living in countries with limited healthcare resources are the most affected.

Researchers called for stronger national policies to curb unnecessary antibiotic prescribing while ensuring patients who genuinely need specialized antibiotics can access them.

They stressed that improving access will require coordinated action at both local and national levels. This includes:

<ul><li>ensuring quality-assured antibiotics are available and affordable in frontline healthcare settings, </li><li>procuring the right antibiotics in adequate quantities, </li><li>strengthening surveillance of antibiotic use, </li><li>setting country-specific prescribing targets based on local disease burden and public health needs.</li></ul>

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Nearly all countries are overusing antibiotics—particularly those meant for specific conditions—fueling the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health.The study, led by researchers from the Universities of London and Oxford, found that 99% of countries overuse "Watch" antibiotics, while 60% continue to use antibiotics that the World Health Organization (WHO) advises should no longer be prescribed."Our findings show the world faces a double challenge – while some antibiotics are being overused, millions of people may still lack access to the medicines they need to treat their infections," said Aislinn Cook, lead author and Senior Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology at City St George's, University of London.Understanding WHO's AWaRe ClassificationAlso read: Shigella Driving Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Diarrhea Among Gay Men in UK, Lancet Study FindsThe WHO groups antibiotics into three categories under its AWaRe framework:Access antibiotics: First-line medicines, such as amoxicillin, recommended for most common bacterial infections.Watch antibiotics: Broader-spectrum drugs that should be reserved for specific infections when Access antibiotics are ineffective.Reserve antibiotics: Last-resort treatments for severe drug-resistant infections.In 2024, UN member states agreed that at least 70% of global antibiotic use should come from the Access group by 2030.What the Study FoundResearchers estimated that around 43 billion antibiotic courses were needed globally in 2019—roughly one course per person per year to treat bacterial infections. About 77% of these should have been Access antibiotics, suggesting the UN's 70% target is achievable.However, analysis of antibiotic use across 67 countries revealed widespread inappropriate prescribing:Nearly three-quarters of countries used more antibiotics overall than required.99% of countries overused Watch antibiotics, increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance.More than half of countries and territories underused Reserve antibiotics, potentially limiting treatment options for patients with life-threatening drug-resistant infections.60% of countries continued using antibiotics that WHO recommends should no longer be prescribed.Read More: 645 Million People Went Hungry in 2025; Middle East Conflict Driving Food Prices: UNGlobal Inequality in Antibiotic AccessThe study also highlighted major disparities in antibiotic access. Researchers noted that low- and middle-income countries, which bear a higher burden of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, often need greater access to specialized Watch and Reserve antibiotics. Yet these medicines are used more frequently in high-income countries, pointing to unequal access rather than clinical need.Antibiotic Resistance Rising Among ChildrenA separate study found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasingly leaving children vulnerable to common infections.The research, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and covering 82 countries, found that antibiotic resistance increased across every region between 2004 and 2022, making many life-saving drugs used to treat common childhood infections less effective.Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study found that babies, children in intensive care, and those living in countries with limited healthcare resources are the most affected.What Can Be Done?Researchers called for stronger national policies to curb unnecessary antibiotic prescribing while ensuring patients who genuinely need specialized antibiotics can access them.They stressed that improving access will require coordinated action at both local and national levels. This includes:ensuring quality-assured antibiotics are available and affordable in frontline healthcare settings, procuring the right antibiotics in adequate quantities, strengthening surveillance of antibiotic use, setting country-specific prescribing targets based on local disease burden and public health needs.

nearly all countries overuse antibiotics; 60% still use who-discouraged drugs: the lancet

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Nearly All Countries Overuse Antibiotics; 60% Still Use WHO-Discouraged Drugs: The Lancet

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Nearly All Countries Overuse Antibiotics; 60% Still Use WHO-Discouraged Drugs: The Lancet

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