Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – in which a microorganism (such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite) becomes resistant to an antimicrobial drug used to treat infections caused by it – is possibly the most serious public health threat of our time. Recognising the gravity of the problem, the international community has moved to address a phenomenon that could undermine prevention and treatment of an increasing range of diseases and lead to millions of deaths. This global response, stresses this paper, must centrally involve the developing countries, where the impact of the AMR crisis would be greatest. Strengthening the capacity of developing countries to tackle AMR in turn requires international support in the way of financial and technological resources. Such support should, crucially, also include means to ensure affordable access to antimicrobials, both existing ones as well as new drugs developed to counter the AMR threat.
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