Antifungal Policy and Practice Across Five Countries: A Qualitative Review

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health Policy
• Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background:

• Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a growing global health burden.
• Effective national and regional policies are crucial for managing the evolving landscape of IFIs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess antifungal policies across five diverse countries (Netherlands, Italy, South Korea, China, India).
• To identify gaps in IFI management policies, including diagnostics, treatment, and awareness.

Main Methods:

• Comparative policy analysis of antifungal management strategies.
• Evaluation of policy elements: recognition, awareness, prevention, diagnosis, treatment access, and innovation.
• Selection of countries representing varied economic and health systems.

Main Results:

• All assessed countries have some IFI management policies, but substantial gaps exist.
• Key gaps include low prioritization of IFI diagnostics and exclusion of fungal pathogens from antimicrobial resistance policies.
• Limited awareness and healthcare professional training on IFI management were identified.

Conclusions:

• Identified policy gaps require attention from healthcare professionals and policymakers.
• Addressing these gaps is essential for reducing the IFI burden on patients and health systems.
• Improved policies support responsible antifungal stewardship and better IFI patient outcomes.