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Paradoxes of the antibiotic pipeline.

Authors :
Alas Portillo, Mirza
Gómez Rodríguez, Isabel M.
Gradmann, Christoph
Kirchhelle, Claas
Leisner, Jørgen J.
Martinenghi, Laura D.
Paterson, Erin L.
Santesmases, María Jesús
Skender, Belma
Vagneron, Frédéric
Source :
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications; 5/27/2024, Vol. 11 Issue 1, p1-4, 4p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The escalating challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has led to a surge of global research and policy discourse on refilling an empty antibiotic pipeline. The empty pipeline metaphor is, however, wrought with paradoxes. Drawing on critical social sciences and humanities research on pharmaceutical innovation, this comment article presents five of the key paradoxes that structure contemporary innovation discourse: Was the so-called "Golden Age" of antibiotics really golden? Was rational drug design truly rational in terms of antibiotic development? Was the antibiotic pipeline really built on a foundation of scientific breakthroughs by an elite group of (male) inventors? How can antibiotics, powerful symbols of industrial power, be considered as market failures? How could the crisis of antibiotics become the golden hour of their policing? Rather than dissect each paradox, the article aims to complicate standard problem diagnoses and encourage creative new conceptualizations of inclusive antimicrobial innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
Volume :
11
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
177510352
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03211-1