Towards an Antibiotic Roadmap for the sustainable Entry and Management of Antibiotic X (TANDEM-ABX) in Low- and middle-income countries

Context

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, particularly affecting Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The diminishing antibiotic discovery pipeline also exacerbates the issue, with limited options of novel antibiotics available. While the need for novel antibiotics is significant in these countries, access and appropriate use remain as major issues.

As an initial measure, improving antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes in conjunction with antibiotic access programmes in LMICs should be prioritised. However, rollout of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions remain a challenge in many settings, with inconsistent implementation, compliance and competing priorities.  The limited understanding of critical policy levers that help to scale up stewardship, and the exact role of different stakeholders at the national and subnational level represent a further gap for the successful uptake of AMS. Therefore, there is a need to develop practical pathways to mainstream AMS programmes into existing national policies and programmes of LMICs, facilitating the introduction of a new reserve class of antibiotics while ensuring their effectiveness and long-term sustainability as a ‘global public good.’

Project Overview

With a planning grant from NNF, this project aims to gain a detailed understanding of the current policy and health system contexts in select LMICs to support the development of a sustainable use framework for novel antibiotics. This entails undertaking preparatory activities, such as establishing partnerships with both public and private sectors at the national level and working closely with AMR stakeholders on a global, regional, and local scale to formulate the roadmap.

The preparatory activities will take place in selected countries – India (Asia) and Kenya (Sub-Saharan Africa), leveraging ICARS’ existing partnerships with collaborators such as ReACT Africa Network (RAN) and other significant global AMR stakeholders.

Objectives:

1. Establish a coordination Secretariat to undertake joint research and planning
2. Scope activities at a country level to gauge interest and get buy-in of TANDEM-ABX
3. Identify potential partners/stakeholders for TANDEM-ABX
4. Undertake global level consultation and forward planning for TANDEM-ABX

Outcomes

This Planning Grant will enable ICARS to advocate for and develop a proof of concept for the TANDEM-ABX framework,  as well as establishing strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, including institutions in the public and private sectors in LMICs.