Waleed Mustafa
Infectious diseases were responsible for high morbidity & mortality prior to 20th century, which reduced dramatically by the revolution of antibiotics. In 1928 the penicillin discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming, after which the first purified “Penicillin G” become widely available in 1945. 1950 – 1970 was the Golden Era for antibiotics discovery and most of currently available antibiotics depends on the modification of the existing antibiotics at that time. A major threat to this achievement rise, Antibiotic’s Resistance which is a natural protective mechanism for their survival. However, the socioeconomic and behavioural factor are the major promoters of acquired antibiotic’s resistance A common example of this resistant bacteria, • Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) • Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDRGNB) Pharmaceutical industry responsible for the antibiotic arsenal which discovered and developed between 1940 and 1990, the antibiotic drug discovery explosion in that period as the industry focussed on; • Platform development • Route of administration • New classes of antibiotics • Pharmacodynamics • Production of characteristic antibiotics • Design of novel analogue • Drug combination • Novel agents with new mechanism Antibiotics are a medical wonder and require continuous research and development not only from the industry but also new regulations and international task force.