Sandoz, one of the world’s leading producers of generic medicines and antibiotics, has called on governments to rethink the way antibiotics are priced, warning that life saving drugs should not be cheaper than a pack of candies. The company’s CEO emphasized that low prices are making antibiotic production unsustainable, putting global health security at risk.
The statement highlights a growing concern in the pharmaceutical industry about the fragile economics of antibiotic manufacturing. While antibiotics are essential for treating infections and preventing the spread of disease, their low market prices have made it increasingly difficult for companies to continue investing in production and research. As a result, some manufacturers have withdrawn from the market, leading to shortages in many countries.
Sandoz’s message is simple yet powerful antibiotics are too valuable to be treated as cheap commodities. Producing high quality antibiotics involves strict manufacturing standards, complex supply chains, and continuous quality control. However, because governments and health systems often push for lower prices, manufacturers face shrinking margins. This discourages innovation and threatens the long term availability of essential medicines.
The company compared the price of some antibiotics to that of consumer goods like chocolate or soft drinks, saying that it makes no sense for something that can save a human life to cost less than a snack. The issue has become especially urgent as antimicrobial resistance continues to rise worldwide. If bacteria become resistant to existing treatments, the world could face a future where routine infections are once again deadly.
Experts say that the global antibiotic crisis is not just a medical issue but also an economic one. Without fair pricing and sustainable incentives, pharmaceutical companies have little motivation to produce or develop new antibiotics. In recent years, several companies specializing in antibiotic innovation have gone bankrupt despite creating effective drugs, simply because the market failed to reward them.
Sandoz has urged policymakers to establish long term contracts and funding mechanisms that ensure stable supply and fair compensation for producers. Governments, in turn, need to view antibiotic production as part of national security and public health infrastructure, not as an ordinary business cost. This approach could involve setting minimum prices, offering production subsidies, or creating strategic stockpiles to prevent shortages.
The World Health Organization and other global health bodies have also warned that the world is entering a dangerous phase where the supply of effective antibiotics cannot keep up with medical needs. The cost of inaction could be enormous, as untreated infections could threaten surgeries, cancer treatments, and other medical procedures that depend on reliable antibiotics.
Sandoz’s statement serves as a reminder that public health depends on more than just innovation — it also depends on sustainability. Ensuring that antibiotics remain available for future generations will require governments, pharmaceutical companies, and international organizations to work together on fair pricing and responsible use.
In essence, the message from Sandoz captures a simple truth. Antibiotics are not consumer goods. They are vital tools of modern medicine, and their value should be reflected in how they are produced, priced, and protected.
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