AMR battle in Pakistan: from national action plans to local failures

Abstract

This correspondence highlights critical gaps in Pakistan’s response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) five years after implementing the National Action Plan. Despite extensive policy discussions, workshops, and official reports, meaningful actions remain insufficient. Key issues include a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals about resistance patterns, inadequate surveillance, poor infection prevention and control practices, and a pharmaceutical industry focused more on producing branded generics than innovating new antibiotics. The correspondence calls for urgent action to bridge the gap between policy and practice, emphasizing the need for comprehensive awareness, better surveillance, and stronger regulatory enforcement to contain AMR effectively in Pakistan.