In the absence of solutions, tackling the causes of antibiotic resistance is key

Although measures to regulate and reduce antibiotic use are still needed, tackling air pollution may reduce global antibiotic resistance in the future. Photograph: Matías Basualdo/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

A decade ago, Britain’s top health official issued a grim warning: antibiotic resistance posed an apocalyptic threat, with patients having simple operations at risk of dying from routine infections that could no longer be treated.

Sally Davies, then the chief medical officer for England, said global action was required to fight antibiotic resistance and fill a drug discovery void by researching and developing medicines to treat mutating infections.