We're Running Out of Antibiotics

[Avalux]

4. It's inevitable. One small critique about the title of that article -

We are not "running out" - this has nothing to do with quantity. Antibiotics are becoming useless. Big difference there.

The coming antibiotic crisis is an issue I've been studying for a very long time. Until governments and pharma cos. take serious steps and pour lots of $$$ into developing NOVEL new antibiotics (not just cousins), as well as restricting access to protect the ones we have that still work (big ones like daptomycin) we are screwed.

Pharma cos don't care about new antibiotic development because there's no profit in it; why should they do that when getting a drug approved for a chronic disease is like hitting the jackpot. Often they are able to expand the indication for such a drug, which is the best way to make money. Don't have to start from square one and the return on investment is enormous. Cymbalta is a perfect example - developed for depression; it is now also being marketed for older people to relieve arthritis pain. Brilliant!

I don't even need to address government funding in this country - can you imagine the GOP passing a bill to invest a substantial amount of money in new antibiotic development?

There are many contributing factors to antibiotic resistant. Greed and irresponsibility by humans and the natural evolution of bacteria are at the core.