Paul Fisher
Head of Programmes and Policy, British In Vitro Diagnostics Association
The evolution of superbugs runs the risk of bringing medicine back by a hundred years. What can be done to prevent this?
In 1941, police officer Albert Alexander was injured in a bombing raid. His wounds rapidly became infected, and he lost an eye. Dying, with his head covered in abscesses, doctors treated him with what would now be seen as a tiny amount of penicillin, which brought immediate relief. Tragically, despite desperate attempts — which included reusing penicillin extracted from the officer’s urine — supplies ran out, and the officer died.
In the 80 years since, antibiotics have become a mainstay of medicine. From sore throats to surgery, antibiotics save lives daily. However, infections are evolving faster than antibiotics. Globally, more strains are emerging, which resist common treatments.
Antimicrobial resistance crisis looming
According to the Academy of Medical Sciences, 12,000 people die annually in the UK from antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections. It is predicted that by 2050, 39 million people will die globally because of AMR. From cancer patients to care homes, are we destined to return to police officer Alexander’s experience?
Infections are evolving
faster than antibiotics.
Scientists and researchers are working to develop new antibiotics. However, due to the complexity of drug discovery and for funding reasons, this is not a quick process. Vaccines offer hope by preventing the need for antibiotics. Yet, neither of these are immediate solutions.
Promote responsible antibiotic use
To save lives now, the NHS must not prescribe unnecessary antibiotics and must strive to prescribe the right antibiotics to treat the infection. Using simple, inexpensive diagnostic tests enables both of these outcomes. Tests to determine viral or bacterial infections can be done in a pharmacy, GP surgery or at home.
We must also change our behaviour. The phrase “I’ll get some antibiotics” is inappropriate in the age of AMR. We should visit our GP or pharmacist to identify the issue and receive the most appropriate treatment. Ruling out the need for antibiotics is just as valuable as getting a prescription, especially when antibiotics are ineffective against a viral infection. Science can save us from AMR, but we all have a part to play in the fight against this silent pandemic.
