Willingness to pay for antibiotic pollution control

Environmental antibiotic pollution from manufacturing sites is suspected to contribute to antibiotic resistance, negatively impacting global health. While imposing specific regulations on antibiotic pollution seems optimal, it has not been implemented. We investigate two approaches to address this issue; a market-driven approach using product labels and a consumer price premium for pollution-safe antibiotics, and a subsidy approach where the government subsidizes such products. Using a stated preference survey administered to the Swedish public, we investigate preferences for and predicted behavior under two approaches: (i) consumers' willingness to switch to a pricier antibiotic produced under strict antibiotic pollution control and (ii) consumers' support of a subsidy scheme for such antibiotics, funded by a tax increase. Around 80 %, of respondents are willing to pay a price premium or support a taxpayer-funded subsidy. The average price premium for a treatment cycle with an antibiotic produced under stricter antibiotic pollution control is €12.9 and the average accepted increase in taxes for a subsidy scheme is €7.3 per year and taxpayer, corresponding to a subsidy of €14.6. Both strategies are feasible and acceptable, driven by concerns about antibiotic resistance and a willingness to contribute to better global health.