Five Facts about antimicrobial resistance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Five Facts about antimicrobial resistance

This article featured in: December 2025 – The Pharmafile Brief

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