The number of deaths linked to antibiotic-resistant superbugs in England increased by 17% in 2024, according to official figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The data, which raises concerns about the ongoing rise in antimicrobial resistance, also showed an average of nearly 400 newly reported cases of antibiotic-resistant infections each week last year.
The UKHSA report revealed that cases of bacteraemia caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria rose from 18,740 in 2023 to 20,484 in 2024, a 9.3% increase. The estimated number of deaths in people with a resistant infection rose from 2,041 to 2,379 over the same period. Prof Susan Hopkins, UKHSA's chief executive, described antibiotic resistance as 'one of the greatest health threats we face,' noting that more people are acquiring infections that cannot be effectively treated by antibiotics.
The figures also highlighted a large rise in private prescriptions for antibiotics, with 22% dispensed through the private sector in 2024. This increase is partly attributed to the Pharmacy First scheme, a flagship policy introduced under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which allows patients to obtain antibiotics for common illnesses without seeing a GP. The scheme has raised questions about whether the shift in prescribing patterns is contributing to the rise in resistance.
Antibiotic use in NHS primary care decreased between 2019 and 2024, but private dispensing in community pharmacies more than doubled. Overall primary care antibiotic use across the NHS and private sector rose by 10.7% over the five-year period. Prof Hopkins urged the public to only take antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional and to avoid sharing or saving leftover medication.
The UKHSA report noted that while the increase in antibiotic supply through Pharmacy First is notable, it should be interpreted with caution and in the context of broader changes in how patients access care. The service follows established guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on appropriate prescribing.
