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Editorial
. 2025 Feb 26;5(1):e68.
doi: 10.1017/ash.2025.38. eCollection 2025.

Macro- and micro-influencers of antimicrobial costs…What do stewardship programs need to know?

Sheetal Kandiah  1   2 , Sarah Altamimi  3 , Kristy M Shaeer  4 , Marisa Holubar  5 , Jamie L Wagner  6
Affiliations
Editorial

Macro- and micro-influencers of antimicrobial costs…What do stewardship programs need to know?

Sheetal Kandiah et al. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol. .

Abstract

The high cost of antimicrobials presents critical challenges for healthcare providers managing infections amidst the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). High costs hinder access to necessary treatments, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations and exacerbating health disparities. High drug prices necessitate the use of less effective or more toxic alternatives, leading to suboptimal outcomes and prolonged hospitalizations. This, in turn, increases healthcare costs and undermines efforts to combat AMR. Equitable policies, national formularies, and cost caps for essential antimicrobials can ensure universal access to life-saving treatments and enable antimicrobial stewardship programs to ensure the best possible outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

SK has no conflicts of interest to disclose. SA has no conflicts of interest to disclose. KMS has no conflicts of interest to disclose. MH has served as an UpToDate contributor. JLW has served on an advisory board for Innoviva.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Conceptual framework for antimicrobial use.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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