The problem of drug-resistant microbes isn’t just about biology and
chemistry; it’s an economic problem at heart, a catastrophic and
long-bubbling mismatch between supply and demand. It’s the result of the
many incentives for misusing our drugs, and the dearth of incentives
for developing new ones...... If antibiotics continue to lose their sting, resistant infections will
sap $100 trillion from the world economy between now and 2050,
equivalent to $10,000 for every person alive today. Ten million people
will die every year, roughly one every three seconds, and more than
currently die from cancer. These are conservative estimates: They don’t
account for procedures that are only safe or possible because of antibiotics, like hip and joint replacements, gut surgeries, C-sections, cancer chemotherapy, and organ transplants.
The Plan to Avert Our Post-Antibiotic Apocalypse - The Atlantic
I agree that this is principally an economics problem. This is a textbook example of externalities not being taken into account. Whenever farmers give antibiotics to all of their cattle, they are not taking into account the long run cost of reducing the effect of those antibiotics.
ReplyDeleteGood point Spencer. I also thought immediately to externalities not being taken into account. But Rachel and Bharath also brought up good points about doctors, and their responsibility to prescribe drugs responsibly and only when they are truly needed. It's ok to get sick sometimes, as long as it isn't life threatening. Your immune system gets stronger as it develops its own antibodies and countermeasures to various threats, which I think is important to keep in mind when approaching medicine. It works the best when it is used sparingly and only when truly necessary.
DeleteThis makes me think of the role of the FDA. Specifically, in the context of the movie "Dallas Buyers Club" which was based on a real story. Basically, a person smuggled in drugs that were not approved by the FDA to treat AIDS/HIV. It took awhile for it to be approved which shows there was a mismatch between supply and demand of the drug as many people bought it in the black market.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that this is a troubling issue but it also brings to light the sad fact that society is so dependent on drugs. I do understand that some people do have legitimate illnesses that need real antibiotics. However, I do believe that medication is often overprescribed because doctors are working with the pharmaceutical companies. These companies only stay alive because there is demand for their drug. These drugs do cost a lot of money to make and we do need these companies to be profitable so they can continue to make the drugs we do need. So, I understand why it is so expensive and with the FDA, it is a liability issue. Companies do not want people to use their drugs if they don't know if there will be unforeseen side effects. In my opinion, this whole industry is upside down.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that economics is a major factor in this issue, I think the economic problems also arise from biological issues and that these two issues are closely related and combine to form an important issue. Personally I agree with Rachel and I think some doctors today are overprescribing antibiotics in many cases they are not needed or infections can be prevented. However, I think that doctors over time have become more defensive and choose to act more cautiously by prescribing more antibiotics. I think another major issue stems that and infections and bacteria develop to be immune against antibiotics, scientists will not be able to develop new antibiotics quickly enough to fight the infection, due to the slow processes and strict regulations set by the FDA.
ReplyDeleteThis just goes to show that there's a significant incentive to invest heavily into scientific research on these forms of bacteria. Even from the standpoint of any medical research company, this opens the door for opportunity to develop new drugs that are capable of alleviating any of these issues. However, it's important to ensure high competition in these markets, since in situations where high levels of competition are absent, it's hard to keep firms innovating.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point Mario. Resistance to antibiotics will continue to increase because bacteria and other virus keep transforming in the future. It will cost a lot of money, but we cannot stop researching and creating new antibiotics and drugs. So, this may lead to more investment in research on new forms of bacteria and antibiotics.
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