Antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance in developing countries: Health economics, global governance, and sustainable development goals

Antimicrobial resistance has existed in nature long before the discovery of antibiotics. The mechanisms of resistance are prevalent among the bacterial population. Over a period of time and facilitated by indiscriminate usage of antibiotics, these mechanisms are transferred from one type of bacteria to another, including the pathogenic ones. In addition, the rate of discovery of novel antimicrobials is much slower than the rate of evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, there is a need for alternative strategies to control antimicrobial resistance to save lives. In this book, the novel strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance are described, emphasizing collaborative measures of control. We describe the concerted efforts undertaken by global communities to combat antimicrobial resistance in detail. The most efficient strategy could be a behavioral change towards indiscriminate consumption, usage, and prescription of antibiotics.