The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a global priority pathogens’ list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to help in prioritizing the research and development of new and effective antibiotic treatment. The WHO list is divided into three categories according to the urgency of the need for new antibiotics: critical, high and medium priority. The list highlights in particular the threat of gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. Research and Development is important but it cannot solve the problem alone. In tackling AMR there also needs to be better prevention of infections and appropriate use of existing antibiotics in humans and animals, as well as rational use of any new antibiotics that are developed in future.
Read the Lancet article in full: http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/laninf/PIIS1473-3099(17)30753-3.pdf