EC warning over antimicrobial resistance

The European Commission's main scientific advisory committee, the CDS,has noted serious concern over growing risks for human health resulting from antimicrobial resistance, and has called for immediate reduction in "inappropriate" use in human and veterinary medicine and in livestock and plant production.

The committee says that micro-organisms are becoming more and more resistant to known antimicrobial agents, including (and especially) antibiotics.

Of still more concern, say the CDS' 16 scientists, is that new antibacterial agents have not been introduced for 10 years, which is leading to growing difficulties in the treatment of pneumonia, tuberculosis and salmonellosis. They add that given that over 50% of antimicrobial agents are used in human drugs, doctors have an important role to play in reducing their use.