The world depends on a consistent supply of safe and effective antibiotics that serve as a first line of defense against a wide variety of potentially dangerous bacteria. Consistent antibiotic quality is essential, especially considering the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Substandard antibiotics allow AMR to flourish, potentially rendering the antibiotic widely ineffective. Manufacturers, regulators, and patients need confidence in the quality control standards and testing of antibiotics to avoid the dangerous threat of increased resistance.
USP is committed to providing documentary and physical reference standards to assist manufacturers and national control laboratories who test medicines used to treat life threatening, yet common diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia. In addition to developing and updating quality standards, USP supports initiatives for the development of new antimicrobial drugs and publishes antibiotic-related USP–NF monographs that support the quality of antibiotic medicines.
