Misuse of antibiotics is leading to a 33% rise in hospital costs, highlighting the urgent need for better antibiotic stewardship and awareness, according to the ICMR.
In recent years, drug-resistant infections have become a major public health challenge, not only increasing patient mortality and prolonged hospital stays, but also substantially raising healthcare costs. A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reveals that the costs of treating drug-resistant infections have increased by 33.1% compared to drug-sensitive infections. This alarming increase highlights the critical need to improve antibiotic stewardship, awareness, and healthcare infrastructure to effectively address this growing problem.
Understanding drug-resistant infections
Drug-resistant infections occur when pathogens (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) evolve and become immune to the drugs designed to treat them. Misuse and excessive use of antibiotics, incomplete treatments and self-medication are among the main causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This resistance not only makes infections more difficult to treat, but also increases the chances of complications, prolonged hospital stays, and, in many cases, mortality.
Key findings of the ICMR study
The study analyzed 1,723 patient records in eight hospitals in India and compared the cost, duration and outcomes of treating drug-resistant and drug-sensitive infections. The findings reveal stark differences in the health and economic impacts of resistant infections.
1. Cost of treatment
•On average, treating drug-resistant infections costs $1,238, while treating drug-sensitive infections costs $827.
•In public hospitals, the cost of drug-resistant cases amounted to $199.2, compared to $108.5 for drug-susceptible cases.
•In private hospitals, treatment for drug-resistant infections costs $3,382, while sensitive cases cost $3,019.
•The main cost factor was medications, which increased by 61.5% in public hospitals and 27.1% in private hospitals.
2. Length of hospital stay
•Patients with drug-resistant infections stayed in hospitals for an average of 23 days, compared to 12 days for those with susceptible infections.
3. Mortality rate
•Mortality was significantly higher among patients with drug-resistant infections, with a rate of 29.5%, compared to 20% among susceptible infection cases.
Financial strain on patients and families
The economic burden of drug-resistant infections goes beyond hospital bills. The study found that more than 45 percent of families had to borrow money to cover treatment costs, and 47.6 percent of families of patients with drug-resistant infections relied on loans, compared to the 44.6 percent of families with infections susceptible to medications.
Other financial consequences included:
•Withdrawal of children from school: 10.5% in resistant cases versus 6.2% in susceptible cases.
•Sell or mortgage assets: 11.4% in resistant cases versus 9.8% in susceptible cases.
Why are these findings important?
The study highlights the urgent need to take decisive action against antimicrobial resistance. The financial and emotional strain caused by prolonged hospital stays, repeated treatments, and the high cost of medications are pushing families into a serious economic crisis. Given that 70% of India’s healthcare expenses are out of pocket, these scenarios are unsustainable for a large section of the population.
Preventive Measures and Recommendations
1. Rational use of antibiotics
•Avoid self-medication and over-the-counter antibiotics.
•Complete the prescribed antibiotic treatment even if symptoms improve.
2. Strengthening hospital infection control
•Best hygiene practices and hospital infection control protocols should be strictly applied.
3. Public awareness campaigns
•Educate citizens about the dangers of misuse of antibiotics.
4. Wastewater and solid waste management
•Pharmaceutical companies and healthcare facilities must ensure proper disposal of antibiotic residues to avoid environmental contamination.
Conclusion
Drug-resistant infections are not only a health crisis but a significant economic burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach involving healthcare professionals, policymakers, pharmaceutical industries, and the general public. The ICMR study serves as a wake-up call, urging everyone to take concrete steps to combat antimicrobial resistance to prevent future health and financial disasters.
