Antibiotic resistance is everybody's problem

Professor Richard Wise

Antibiotics, and other antimicrobial agents are used in medicine, veterinary work and agriculture.

They are used to kill or restrict the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi and disease-causing organisms.

'Inappropriate use'

Professor Wise was scientific advisor to the Lords Select Committee which published a report three years ago, calling for the advisory committee to be set up.

He added: "There is a need to reduce this inappropriate use. Controlling the spread of these resistant organisms around both hospitals and the community is another major challenge.

"Antibiotic resistance is everybody's problem and will need a concerted and long term strategy if we are not to return to the 'pre-antibiotic era'."

The Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance, made up of experts from across the country, meets for the first time on Thursday.

A three-year-plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance was published in June last year, outlining steps including publishing more information about when antibiotics are not needed.

Health minister Lord Philip Hunt welcomed the establishment of the committee, and its consideration of the issues around the control of antimicrobial resistance.

"We fully recognise the seriousness of this problem and the need for sustained action," he said.

Dr David Livermore, director of the Antibacterial Resistance Monitoring and Reference Laboratory of the Central Public Health Laboratory, told BBC News Online: "As we use antibiotics, we kill sensitive bacteria and the resistant ones survive.

"We can't stop the evolution of resistance, any more than King Canute could turn the waves back.

"We have to try to slow its development, and keep one step ahead by developing new drugs."