ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials is recognized by the WHO as a major health threat of the 21st century. Antimicrobial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections. Infections such as tuberculosis and septicaemia which decimated populations are once again responsible for mortality in epidemic proportions. Bacterial resistance is driven by the continued use of antimicrobials and it is unlikely that the danger of resistance can be effectively diminished by the discovery of new antimicrobials. The problem lies with the patent duration (20 years) and billion dollar investments of the pharmaceutical companies in producing a new antimicrobial. We have used, or are using, our so-called drugs of last resort. There is nothing left in the armamentarium and investments in developing new antimicrobials are missing, we are moving into the post-antimicrobial era