The Economic Impacts of Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat, which causes more than a million deaths each year. Lesser known, but equally important, is the impact that AMR might have on our global economy.

A new CGD report found that the world spends an estimated $66 billion annually treating people with a drug-resistant infection. If resistance is allowed to increase unimpeded, this figure will rise to $159 billion in 2050.

However, what happens between now and 2050 is not a forgone conclusion—and the policy choices we make today can have a significant impact on the future diseases burden, both saving lives and protecting the economy. Our research found that improving innovation of new gram-negative antibiotics and ensuring everyone has access to good treatments against bacterial infections, would add $1.7 trillion to the global economy by 2050.

This event will explore the impact of AMR on up to 122 different countries to help guide policymakers and stakeholders in identifying critical areas for intervention. The discussion will also cover economic interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of AMR: this includes evaluating the cost-effectiveness of new antimicrobial drugs and health system improvements, which are crucial for addressing the rising threat of AMR and ensuring sustainable global health and economic stability.