Deaths linked to antibiotic-resistant superbugs in England rose by 17% in 2024, according to new data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The figures show an estimated 2,379 deaths in people with a resistant infection, up from 2,041 in 2023. The number of antibiotic-resistant infections averaged nearly 400 newly reported cases per week last year.
The UKHSA data also reveals a significant increase in private prescriptions for antibiotics, with 22% dispensed through the private sector in 2024. This rise is partly attributed to the Pharmacy First scheme, introduced under Rishi Sunak's government, which allows patients to receive antibiotics for common conditions without seeing a GP. Critics question whether this shift in prescribing patterns may contribute to rising resistance.
Cases of bacteraemia caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria rose by 9.3%, from 18,740 in 2023 to 20,484 in 2024. Overall primary care antibiotic use, combining NHS and private sector, increased by 10.7% over the five years to 2024, despite a decrease in NHS prescribing alone.
Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA chief executive, said: 'Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats we face. More people than ever are acquiring infections that cannot be effectively treated by antibiotics, putting them at greater risk of serious illness and death, with our poorest communities hit the hardest.'
The UKHSA report notes that while the increase in antibiotic supply through Pharmacy First is notable, it should be interpreted cautiously and in the context of broader changes in patient access to care. The service follows National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidance on appropriate prescribing.
