What antimicrobial resistance means for us

Medicine and global health were revolutionised by the discovery of antibiotics.

The discovery of these antibiotics meant that what were once deadly diseases were now routinely curable conditions. However, our ability to use these life-saving resources is threatened by the growth of resistance by Gram-negative bacteria.

As the O’Neill report highlights:

The use of antimicrobials, however appropriate and conservative contribute to the development of resistance but widespread unnecessary and excessive use makes it worse. We need to promote prudent prescribing.

You may wish to watch these two videos which describe the ways in which antibiotics are being inappropriately utilised, and how that can result in their decreased effectiveness, eventually leading to a post-antibiotic era.

What do we do when antibiotics don’t work any more by Maryn McKenna, a journalist and author who specialises in public health, global health and food policy. This video describes the ways in which antibiotics are being inappropriately utilised, and how that can result in their decreased effectiveness, eventually leading to a post-antibiotic era.

The coming crisis in antibiotics by Ramanan Laxminarayan, who is the director and senior fellow at the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, Washington DC and New Delhi.