International experts from across the world recently met at the Canadian Society of Microbiologists to discuss the rising spectre of antimicrobial resistance.

In a statement released on 19th June, the experts highlighted the need for new drugs to replace those that are becoming increasingly ineffective. They also drew attention to the urgent need to develop a policy and research programme that can address the mounting pressures of antibiotic resistance.

The group agreed that several human activities, including wastewater discharges, land spreading of manures from medicated animals, and effluents from drug manufacturing, all have the potential to increase the amount of antibiotic resistant microbes in the environment.

One of the Centre’s experts in microbiology, Dr William Gaze, is part of the group that warned of the need for a rapid response:

“Only immediate effective action on a global scale will prevent a ‘perfect storm’ of antimicrobial resistance, compromising the use of drugs vital for health care.”

The statement was issued in support of the G8 science ministers’ announcement regarding the need to maintain effective antibiotics for the treatment of disease.

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