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GSK tops index ranking companies in fight against antimicrobial resistance
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GlaxoSmithKline leads all pharmaceutical companies when it comes to the fight against antimicrobial resistance, according to an independent analysis of the industry.
The Netherlands-based Access to Medicine Foundation recently unveiled its “Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark” report at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. It assessed the 30 pharmaceutical companies with the largest research and development divisions and ranked their efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
GSK landed on top, trailed by Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sanofi and Novartis. According to the report, GSK has the largest antimicrobial pipeline for resistant pathogens, with 55 projects in the works, including 40 that target priority pathogens. The foundation noted Johnson & Johnson’s focus on antibiotic stewardship for tuberculosis.
In a statement, Phil Thomson, GSK’s president of global affairs, said the company was “pleased” to be recognized.
“But the scale of the task ahead remains acute,” Thomson said in a statement. “Specifically for the pharmaceutical industry, we need to find creative ways to incentivize and reward new research and development in antibiotics. All parts of society must come together to tackle this issue.”
Mylan ranked first among generic medicine manufacturers in tackling antimicrobial resistance, and Entasis topped biopharmaceutical companies.
The foundation said just two of the 28 antibiotics for high-priority pathogens in late-stage development are supported by plans to ensure the drugs are widely available when they hit the market. Almost half the companies evaluated were tracking patterns of antibiotic drug resistance, and eight were setting limits on the levels of antibiotics that can be released in the environment in wastewaters at their antibiotic manufacturing facilities, although none were publishing what was being released, according to the report.
The foundation said GSK and Shionogi have completely separated sales agents’ bonuses from the volume of antibiotics that they sell, and four other companies are taking steps in that direction.
Reference:
Access to Medicine Foundation. Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark. https://amrbenchmark.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Antimicrobial-Resistance-Benchmark-2018.pdf. Accessed February 1, 2018.
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures. Thomson works for GSK.