Battle Against Superbugs Undermined By Failing Drugs

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 10 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The fight against some superbugs and other bacteria is in danger of returning to a 'pre-antibiotic era' due to increasing resistance to medicines, according to a report issued today by the Royal Society.

The report, Innovative mechanisms for tackling antibacterial resistance, criticises policies that only focus on infection control measures and restrictions on antibiotic use. It highlights the need for a sustained commitment to research and development to deliver new diagnostic tools for early identification of infections and new treatments.

David Read, Vice-president of the Royal Society said: "Much of the debate on superbugs has focussed on cleaning hospitals. This is important, but it will not deal with the fact that MRSA and other infections are increasingly resistant to the medicines we have come to rely on to treat them. We must make sure that the investment is in place to deliver the next generation of antibiotics to tackle future outbreaks of infection."

The report, based on an international symposium organised by the Royal Society, examines possible areas of research that could lead to new treatments. Barriers to the development of novel antibacterial agents are also looked at and include resistance in the pharmaceutical sector to invest in these drugs due to fact that they are currently undervalued and underpriced and thus produce less profit than other drugs.

Key improvements suggested in the report include:

- A more realistic market valuation needs to be put on antibacterials to reflect the fact that they are life-saving drugs

- The need to create regulatory conditions that will encourage venture capitalists and biotech companies as well as pharmaceutical companies to invest in antibacterials

- The need to develop more efficient diagnostic tools to enhance the rapid identification of bacteria causing an infection as well as identifying what treatments might be most effective

- The need to continue to develop traditional antibiotics, alongside the investigation of different approaches to develop antibacterial agents that act on bacteria in novel ways.

- The establishment of centres of excellence for antibacterial therapeutics. The success of such centres can be seen in the cancer sector where diverse expertise has been brought together to develop very specific targeted therapies involving partners such as patient groups and medical research charities.

1. Innovative mechanisms for tackling antibacterial resistance is based on an international symposium held at the Royal Society on 7 March 2008. The report summarises key issues raised in presentations and discussion sessions and does not necessarily represent the views of the Royal Society.

2. The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. It responds to individual demand with selection by merit, not by field. As we prepare for our 350th anniversary in 2010, we are working to achieve five strategic priorities to:

- Invest in future scientific leaders and in innovation
- Influence policymaking with the best scientific advice
- Invigorate science and mathematics education
- Increase access to the best science internationally
- Inspire an interest in the joy, wonder and excitement of scientific discovery

The Royal Society
6-9 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AG
United Kingdom.