Experts Warn of Growing Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

Experts warn that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could lead to approximately 40 million deaths over the next 25 years if not addressed, with the elderly being particularly vulnerable. Dame Sally Davies, former chief medical officer of England, highlights that AMR is responsible for about one million deaths annually, a figure expected to double by 2050. The excessive use of antibiotics in livestock, comprising about 70% of total consumption, exacerbates the problem by fostering resistant bacteria. Routine medical procedures, such as surgery and childbirth, could become life-threatening due to AMR, creating a significant public health crisis. Despite the urgent need for new antibiotics, pharmaceutical companies are disincentivized to develop them due to low profitability compared to chronic disease medications. Immediate action is required to improve antibiotic usage practices and enhance global oversight to mitigate this growing threat.