Understanding cross-functional relations in the management of antimicrobial resistance

Thesis

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health crisis, projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050, with significant economic and societal repercussions. This paper analyzes the systemic challenges of AMR through a cross-functional lens, examining its impact across healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sectors. Key stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, policymakers, and consumers—exhibit varying levels of power, interest, and influence, contributing to the complex dynamics of AMR. The study identifies critical gaps in current interventions, such as the misuse of antibiotics, insufficient R&D investment, poor sanitation, and fragmented cross-sector collaboration.

Using causal loop diagrams and stakeholder mapping, the paper highlights the reinforcing loops driving AMR, such as irrational antibiotic use in clinical and agricultural settings, and the unintended consequences of policy inaction. It proposes a reframed problem statement centered on a "One-Life" approach, emphasizing regional and industry-specific solutions to balance productivity, food security, and living costs while reducing antibiotic use by 30% over five years.

The proposed interventions include stricter regulatory controls on antibiotic prescriptions, incentivizing pharmaceutical innovation, public-private partnerships for sanitation improvements, and fostering global collaboration. By addressing AMR as a multi-sectoral challenge, this study aims to mitigate its mortality burden and align stakeholders toward sustainable solutions.

Authors: Gupta, A

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-xq8qx1ad9
• Type of award: MSc
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: antimicrobial resistance (AMR)