Alarm bells are sounding globally, with increasing fears of bacteria and viruses becoming resistant to antibiotics, as a result of their excessive use without medical controls.
Australia, for example, is exposed to high risks that could claim millions of lives every year, according to a new report by the Australian Academy of Science and Technology Engineering.
Antibiotic resistance of bacteria and viruses can kill more than 10 million each year, costing the global economy nearly $150 trillion.
The World Health Organization has listed antibiotic resistance among the top 10 global health threats.
Branwen Morgan, of the Australian Academy of Science and Technology Engineering, said: “There is a social imperative that we must take a preventive approach to addressing this problem before it manifests itself as a complete treatment failure.”
He added, “Australia has the potential to be a strong global contributor to the development of technologies to combat antibiotic resistance and should aspire to be a world leader in its management.”