COVID-19 and antibiotic resistance

Science

What everyone needs to know about clinical research

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased interest among news outlets and the public in the advancement of clinical trials. Results from studies are sometimes presented as headline news, but unfortunately often with little reflection or critical analysis. Here we try to explain some of the basic concepts and terms, and reflect on how study design affects what conclusions can be drawn from the studies.

Policy

COVID-19 resolution – a missed opportunity to address global pandemic response more broadly

Last week’s World health Assembly was an opportunity to set out more ambitious goals to build stronger systems to prevent future pandemics and fundamentally reshape the way drug development is financed for pandemics, neglected diseases and antibiotics that isn’t restricted by the current market-based model. Despite high-level participation by several Heads of State showing that global health is finally becoming a political top priority, the final resolution did not go far enough on these crucial points.

Impact of COVID-19 on vaccine-preventable diseases and antibiotic resistance

One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is that vaccination efforts that help control other diseases may be put on hold. This may lead to increased strain on health systems, morbidity and mortality due to vaccine-preventable disease and increases in antibiotic resistance.

ReAct Africa and Africa CDC: COVID-19 webinars

COVID-19 – a pandemic that has claimed hundred of thousands of lives across the globe and spread to numerous African countries has caused an unprecedented global health threat. Governments and health authorities across Africa are striving to limit the spread of infections which will be catastrophic in a continent that is already characterized by numerous challenges in healthcare provision. During this pandemic, ReAct Africa has partnered with Africa CDC in organizing and facilitating webinars to raise awareness on COVID-19.

COVID-19 and AMR – what do we know so far?

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus that was only recently discovered in 2019. The virus causes the COVID-19 pandemic which currently requires the full focus, commitment and support from all governments, international institutions and organizations, the healthcare workforce, the private sector, civil society and the general public.

Some attention has started to be given to the role of secondary infections as well as antibiotic resistance in patients with COVID-19. Currently, however, too little information is available to draw any full conclusions on the potential impact antibiotic resistance might have on COVID-19 outcomes.

Shortages and AMR – why should we care? 4 consequences of antibiotic shortages

Shortages of antibiotics have become a global problem that also affect countries with robust healthcare and regulatory systems. The causes are several, sometimes difficult to oversee, and the solutions are not as easy to implement as they are to conceptualize. Shortages of medicines in general cause patients to lose access to important treatments and, as such, lead to increased costs, morbidity and even mortality. But shortages of antibiotics may also lead to increases in antibiotic resistance.