Why should this matter to me?

Antibiotics are one of the most powerful tools in healthcare; their future must be protected.

They underpin many aspects of treatment against life-threatening infectious diseases and enable critical procedures like chemotherapy and surgery.

But resistance to them is rising.

Increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will lead to longer illnesses, increased hospital admissions and increased risk of serious infections or death during everyday treatments and procedures.

What you need to know

Over 90,000 hospital admissions for antibiotic-resistant infections in 2019/20
Over 90,000 hospital admissions for antibiotic-resistant infections in 2019/20
1 in 3 patients in hospitals in England are on antibiotics at any one time
1 in 3 patients in hospitals in England are on antibiotics at any one time
Industry has invested $1bn to kick-start the development of 2-4 new antibiotics
Industry has invested $1bn to kick-start the development of 2-4 new antibiotics
1.2 million people die from antibiotics-resistant infections each year globally
1.2 million people die from antibiotics-resistant infections each year globally
The UK has a 5-year action plan to find solutions for antibiotics resistance
The UK has a 5-year action plan to find solutions for antibiotics resistance

Last modified: 20 September 2023

Last reviewed: 20 September 2023