When the Drugs Don’t Work: Antibiotic Resistance as a Global Development Problem

Publications - Released in 2018

There is a belief that innovation of new antibiotics will out-pace the development and spread of resistant bacteria. However, without rapidly addressing the way antibiotics are currently over- and mis-used, there is no chance of winning this race. Novel antibiotics will continue to play an important role, but they will not be enough. Antibiotics must be seen as a non-renewable resource. And just like in climate change, if this natural resource is exhausted, there will be nothing left for future generations. Managing antibiotic resistance relies on limiting use of antibiotics, discovery of new antibiotics or alternative ways to treat infectious diseases, but also on preventing infections and limiting spread of resistance. There are no quick fixes – antibiotic resistance is a systems failure and thus all sectors need to contribute to a change and jointly securing that antibiotics remain effective.

This report focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty, economic growth, inequality, health, food production and the environment.   

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