Tracing the Causes Behind the Rising Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in the World and the Growth Drivers of its Market

Antimicrobial resistance is a condition caused when pathogens develop resistance to the medications that are intended to neutralize them or reduce their influence. Thus, antimicrobial resistance results in reducing the effect of medication, thereby increasing the possibility of spread of infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed antimicrobial resistance as one of the major global concerns which could put several lives at risk.

Reasons for growing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance

In 2020, around 8 lakh Europeans were infected by pneumonia and intra-abdominal infections which developed due to antimicrobial resistance. There are several causes for this steep increase in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. The most important cause of antimicrobial resistance is reckless and unhinged use of antibiotics. Also, not completing the full prescribed dose of antibiotics is another reason why resistance to antibiotics grows. In some cases, it has been seen that administration of incorrect drugs has also resulted in antiviral drug resistance.

Maintaining poor hygiene, including regular consumption of contaminated food and water can result in antibiotic resistance. Apart from these factors, mutation and gene transfer leads to generation of microbial DNA that imparts anti-viral resistance to the microbe. Another scientific explanation given by experts is that there is selective pressure on these microbes with the theory of natural selection at play. Thus, microbes which develop antimicrobial resistance pass on those traits to their future generations for survival of their species. Hence, once developed within a microbial species, it becomes extremely hard to curb the antiviral drug resistant properties.

Growth drivers of the market

The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance across the globe is, naturally, the major factor behind the growth of the antimicrobial resistance market. Apart from this obvious factor, many other factors have contributed to the growth of this market. A market research report published by Allied Market Research provides comprehensive insights on this topic. The report states that growing misuse and overuse of different antibiotics has played an important role in the growth of this market. Furthermore, the report adds that growing incidence of bacterial infections like urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and hospital acquired pneumonia or ventilator acquired pneumonia are contributing to an increase in the growth rate of this market.

An interesting growth driver of the market mentioned in the report is the growing awareness regarding antiviral drug resistance. This has led to an increase in investments in the development of antibiotics which has, in turn, led to widening the scope of the market. Not just governmental agencies, even several private companies like Alkem Laboratories Ltd, Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Nabriva Therapeutics plc., etc., have invested heavily in this sector. For instance, Boehringer Ingelheim, Evotec SE, and bioMérieux announced the launch of Aurobac, a joint venture. This joint venture will receive capital funding from all the three biotechnology companies and will look to develop technologies to fight antimicrobial resistance.

The global antimicrobial resistance market is, thus, predicted to experience huge growth due to increasing misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Rising governmental and private investments in medical research will further expand the market operations.

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