The world could prevent 75 percent of deaths linked to antibiotic resistance by spending just $2 per person annually on antibiotic stewardship measures, according to a Nov. 7 report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The OECD identified antibiotic resistance as "one of the biggest threats to modern medicine," adding that superbugs could kill 2.4 million people in Europe, North America and Australia over the next three decades. The report also found health complications linked to antibiotic resistance could cost $3.5 billion a year across 33 countries.
"A short-term investment to stem the superbug tide would save lives and money in the long run," OECD said in the report.
OECD proposed a five-pronged approach to addressing antibiotic resistance that outlines the following initiatives:
- Promoting better hygiene
- Ending the over-prescription of antibiotics
- Quickly testing patients to ensure they receive the right antibiotic for infections
- Delaying antibiotic prescriptions
- Initiating mass media campaigns
To download the full report, click here.