Costs-effectiveness and cost components of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions affecting antibiotic resistance outcomes in hospital patients: a systematic literature review

A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate the costs and cost-effectiveness of hospital interventions to reduce antibiotic resistance (ABR). Out of 20,958 articles, 59 (32 pharmaceutical and 27 non-pharmaceutical) interventions met the inclusion criteria. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as hygiene measures, had unit costs as low as $1 per patient, contrasting with generally higher pharmaceutical intervention costs. Linezolid-based treatments for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were found to be cost-effective compared to vancomycin, with ICERs up to $21,488 per treatment success. This study highlights the need for more efficient resource allocation in addressing antibiotic resistance.