New antibiotics “not enough” to solve resistance
More than 25,000 people die every year from antibiotic resistant infections.
Developing new antibiotics will not be enough to tackle resistance long-term, a charity has warned following news that a government review will aim to address the lack of new drugs.
Prime Minister David Cameron last week announced that he had commissioned an independent review to determine why no new antibiotics have come onto the market for 25 years.
Mark Dosher, secretary of the Bella Moss Foundation (BMF), said that while new drugs form a part of the solution, resistance “can't be solved by pharmacology alone.”
The introduction of new drugs is a “double-edged sword,” he continues, as the creation of new drugs encourages usage, which in turn leads to resistance.
Around 25,000 people in Europe die every year due to antibiotic resistant infections.
Politicians, human healthcare and veterinary professionals need to think about the long-term picture, according to BMF.
“Without also developing and implementing strategies to reduce antimicrobial use, to use these drugs more wisely, and to develop non-antibiotic ways to manage bacterial infections, we could find ourselves in exactly the same position [in the future],” says Tim Nuttal, Edinburgh Veterinary School academic and BMF advisor.
A one health approach is needed, Mr Dosher adds, taking into account hygiene and the environment in which bugs live.
He explains: “For example, there are things we can do now with the environments in hospitals that could have an effect today – such as paint that kills bacteria when activated by light, or ventilation additives.
“It has to be recognised that new antibiotics could result in new resistant pathogens so we have to look into other areas, from hygiene and environment to the lifestyle of individuals and which people – and animals – are more prone to infection.
“We need to be looking 50-100 years into the future – anything other than that will just repeat mistakes with AMR that have already been made.”
The government review will be led by internationally respected ecologist Jim O'Neill. Along with a team of experts he aims to stimulate investment in new antibiotics.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
