Antibiotic Economies: The Economisation of Antibiotic Use in Australia and Implications for the Mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

This paper examines how economic rationalities shape antibiotic usage with the aim of expanding options for the reduction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antibiotic usage is typically attributed to the individual behaviours of patients, pet owners and prescribers, an emphasis that has neglected sociological explanations, particularly the economic rationalities that are transforming healthcare. We used sociological theory of pharmaceutical capitalisation and economisation to explore in-depth interviews on antibiotic usage with scientists, policymakers, prescribers, patients and pet owners in Australia. Antibiotics attracted values in terms of cost to the patient and pet owner, profit for t..