Date: October 2, 2025
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
What’s Happening
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report showing that there are too few new antibiotics and diagnostic tools being developed to fight drug-resistant bacteria — one of the biggest health threats in the world today.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when bacteria, viruses, and fungi no longer respond to medicines — making infections harder to treat.
🚨 Too Few New Antibiotics
WHO’s latest review found that:
- The number of antibacterials in development dropped from 97 in 2023 to only 90 in 2025.
- Of these, only 15 are truly innovative, and just 5 work against the most dangerous “critical” bacteria.
- Since 2017, 17 new antibiotics have been approved — but only two belong to new chemical classes.
In short: the world’s antibiotic pipeline is shrinking and not innovative enough to keep up with growing resistance.
🧪 Diagnostic Tools Still Lagging Behind
The report also warns that many health facilities — especially in low- and middle-income countries — don’t have access to the tools needed to identify bacterial infections quickly.
Current gaps include:
- A lack of fast, simple tests for detecting bacteria in blood without long lab cultures.
- Limited biomarker tests to tell the difference between bacterial and viral infections.
- Too few point-of-care diagnostic tools that can be used in small clinics or remote areas.
Without these tools, doctors often have to guess the infection type, which can lead to unnecessary antibiotic use — and more resistance.
💬 WHO’s Message
“Antimicrobial resistance is escalating, but the pipeline of new treatments and diagnostics is insufficient,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems.
The WHO is calling for:
- More investment in antibiotic research and development.
- Stronger support for small companies creating new treatments.
- Affordable diagnostic tools for resource-limited countries.
🌍 Why It Matters
Without new antibiotics and better diagnostic tools, common infections — like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or wound infections — could once again become deadly.
The WHO’s report is a global reminder that fighting antimicrobial resistance requires innovation, funding, and global teamwork.
📚 Source
World Health Organization (WHO). (2025, October 2). WHO releases new reports on new tests and treatments in development for bacterial infections. Retrieved October 5, 2025, from www.who.int