Antimicrobial resistance now causes 750,000 deaths a year in Asia-Pacific, Lancet finds

The study analysed 2018-2024 health data from 14 countries. India led the region with about 297,000 resistance-linked deaths a year. Two-thirds of community-acquired pneumonias in India were reported as resistant.

The authors highlighted over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, overuse in livestock and gaps in public health communication as the primary drivers. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines show similar deteriorations.

The World Health Organization has proposed a ministerial-level summit for regional countries. China's new export controls on certain antibiotic precursors are adding to the debate. Major drugmakers were also urged to invest in new molecules.