Pharmafile Logo
Pharmafocus logo
Advanced Search

Five Facts about antimicrobial resistance

pharmafile | November 28, 2025 | Feature | Medical Communications |  Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Five Facts 

1

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics.1 Around 35,000 deaths in the EU and European Economic Area are caused by AMR every year,2 and antibiotic-resistant infections in the UK recently surpassed pre-pandemic levels.3

2

Over 40% of E. coli bacteria worldwide are now resistant to the first-choice treatments usually prescribed by healthcare professionals (HCPs). Bacteria such as these can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, infections. Other life-saving antibiotics are also becoming less effective.4

3

AMR is increased through the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Poor infection control practices also play a role.5 No new class of antibiotics has been developed since the 1980s, and for most antibiotics, there are few alternative treatments.6

4

Antimicrobial use in animals also plays a role in AMR, contributing to resistance in bacteria that can then be transferred to humans.7 However, a 2023 report found that sales of animal antimicrobials had reached the lowest level ever recorded in Europe, dropping by 53% between 2011 and 2022.8

5

NICE guidelines recommend antimicrobial stewardship for organisations, HCPs and patients to help slow the spread of AMR.9 The NHS is working to reduce the use of antibiotics by 5% by 2029.10

References

  1. https://www.who.int/news/item/13-10-2025-who-warns-of-widespread-resistance-to-common-antibiotics-worldwide
  2. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/multi-agency-report-highlights-importance-reducing-antibiotic-use
  3. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/antibiotic-resistant-infections-continue-to-rise
  4. https://www.who.int/news/item/13-10-2025-who-warns-of-widespread-resistance-to-common-antibiotics-worldwide
  5. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-antibiotic-awareness-day-resources-toolkit-for-healthcare-professionals-in-england/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week-waaw-and-european-antibiotic-awareness-day-eaad#main-messages-around-amr-to-consider-for-waaw-2025
  6. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/antimicrobial-resistance-amr-information-and-resources
  7. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/antimicrobial-resistance
  8. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/consumption-antimicrobials-animals-reaches-lowest-level-ever-europe
  9. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng15
  10. https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/world-antimicrobial-resistance-awareness-week-2024/
The Pharmafile Brief

This article featured in: December 2025 – The Pharmafile Brief

Related Content

Five Facts about men’s mental health

1 While only 15.4% of men are diagnosed with a common mental health condition (CMHC’s) …

Five Facts about Breast Cancer

1 There are striking inequities in breast cancer burden regarding the Human Development Index (HDI), …

Five Facts about epilepsy

1 Epilepsy occurs when the normal electrical activity in the brain changes. For many, the …

The Gateway to Local Adoption Series

Latest content

Just – Evotec given Gates Foundation grant to increase global biotherapeutics access

January 8, 2026

Johnson & Johnson submits robotic surgical system for De Novo classification

January 8, 2026

EA Pharma announces phase 3 trial for new schizophrenia treatment in Japan

January 7, 2026

Eleva appoints Erich Rajkovic as Chief Business Officer

January 7, 2026

MedPharm announces US FDA inspection of North Carolina manufacturing facility

January 6, 2026