Grim figures on antibiotic resistance high on UN agenda

A recent study in the Lancet has predicted that almost 40 million people will die directly because of drug-resistant infections by 2050, while drug-resistant bugs will also be indirectly implicated in the deaths of a further 169 million people.

RMIT experts are available to comment.

Dr. Aaron Elbourne, specialist in novel antimicrobial treatments and diagnostics

"Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to global health, often referred to as a 'silent pandemic'. The rise of drug-resistant bacteria and pathogens undermines decades of medical progress, making once-treatable infections potentially lethal. 

“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), innovation in antibiotic development is alarmingly slow. In 2021, only 27 new antibiotics were in clinical development against priority pathogens—down from 31 in 2017. This stagnation risks leaving our health systems vulnerable as existing antibiotics become increasingly ineffective.

“A study by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) project revealed that antibiotic resistance has claimed at least one million lives annually since 1990, and the death toll is set to rise dramatically. 

“The Lancet’s latest analysis, Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990–2021, forecasts that antimicrobial resistance could be responsible for nearly 40 million deaths by 2050. The study underscores an urgent need for global cooperation to drive innovation in antimicrobial therapies and strengthen diagnostics.

“Without immediate action, the lack of new antimicrobial treatments will erode not just the effectiveness of antibiotics but also the health gains we've achieved over the past century, endangering millions of lives."

Dr. Aaron Elbourne is an Associate Professor and ARC DECRA Fellow at RMIT University, specializing in developing antimicrobial materials and pathogen detection technologies. With extensive industry and research experience in developing novel antimicrobial treatments and rapid diagnostic tools, he is well-positioned to comment on the global threat of antimicrobial resistance and its implications for public health.

Professor Rajaraman Eri, immunology and gut health expert 

"Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond effectively to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. 

“The rise of antimicrobial research poses a profound challenge to modern medicine, potentially reversing decades of medical progress. The upcoming UN General Assembly high-level meeting reflects the urgent need for global action to combat one of the greatest public health threats of our time.

“While political will and measurable targets – which will be the focus of the meeting – are important, there are some critical actions needed to effectively address the challenges of AMR.

“Also needed are:

• robust surveillance systems that track resistance patterns across human, animal and environmental sectors

• global data sharing

• government action to urgently reduce antibiotics use in agriculture, switching to alternatives such as vaccines and probiotics

• funding for laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control measures in low- and middle-income countries, to reduce antibiotic reliance

• new antibiotics (which is not currently lucrative for pharmaceutical companies), alternative therapies and rapid diagnostics

• importantly, new treatments affordable and accessible for all.

“Antimicrobial resistance is often called the ‘silent epidemic’, but it could be silenced with global cooperation.”

Professor Rajaraman Eri is an Associate Dean and Professor of Biosciences and Food Technology at RMIT University. Raj researches human gut health issues including the influence of the microbiome, translational medicine related to gut health, antimicrobial resistance and the effect of diet on community health.

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