Antibiotics need coordinated G7 investment | Letter

Olivia Bennett
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Packets of antibiotics

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‘The UK is a pioneer in this field, with the NHS-Nice “Netflix subscription model” for antibiotics.’ Photograph: Alamy/PA

‘The UK is a pioneer in this field, with the NHS-Nice “Netflix subscription model” for antibiotics.’ Photograph: Alamy/PA

Antibiotics need coordinated G7 investment

Grace Hampson on ways to address the worryingly thin pipeline of new effective drugs

Recent coverage of the pipeline of new antibiotics (Pipeline of new drugs to fight superbugs is ‘worryingly thin’, experts warn, 11 March) is a timely reminder that antimicrobial resistance is one our most urgent health crises. The reason the pipeline is so thin is a fundamental market failure.

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One of the most logical ways to protect antibiotics is to limit their use to the most essential cases, but this means fewer antibiotics sold. If revenues are limited, companies have less incentive to invest in developing and manufacturing new antibiotics. This is where policy intervention is crucial.

The UK is a pioneer in this field, with the NHS-Nice “Netflix subscription model” for antibiotics, where firms receive a fixed annual payment for access to an effective new antibiotic, independent of how much is used. By delinking revenue from volume, responsible antibiotic use and sustainable returns for manufacturers are aligned. But this isn’t enough to address the issue at scale.

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Our research has shown that coordinated G7 investment in incentivising the development of new antibiotics would deliver exceptional returns. In the UK alone, the returns would be 11:1 over 30 years, and in the US, it is as high as 28:1. Globally, this amounts to millions of lives saved. The cost of inaction vastly outweighs the investment.

The evidence is clear, but we need to act now. We can’t rely on companies alone to solve what should be an international political and societal priority.
Grace Hampson
Director, Office of Health Economics

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Olivia Bennett (she/her) is a health education specialist and medical writer dedicated to providing clear, evidence-based health information. She holds a strong academic background in public health and clinical sciences, with advanced training from respected institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom.   Bennett earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Michigan. She later completed her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she developed a deep interest in preventive care and patient education.   To further strengthen her expertise in global and community health, she obtained a Master of Science in Global Health and Development from the University College London. She also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Nutrition at the King's College London.   Since completing her studies, Bennett has worked in both clinical and health communication roles, contributing to medical blogs, health platforms, and public awareness campaigns. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into practical guidance that everyday readers can understand and apply.   In 2021, she began specializing in digital health education, helping online health platforms maintain medically accurate, reader-friendly content. Her key areas of focus include: Preventive healthcare Women’s health Mental health awareness Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension) Nutrition and lifestyle medicine   Bennett believes that trustworthy health information should be accessible to everyone. Her goal is to empower readers to make informed decisions about their well-being through clear, compassionate, and research-backed guidance.   Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading medical journals, participating in community wellness initiatives, and mentoring aspiring health writers.
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