According to The Guardian, antibiotic resistance could lead to 40 million deaths by 2050.

The use of antibiotics could result in 40 million deaths over the next 25 years. These concerns were raised by former Chief Medical Officer of the UK, Dame Sally Davies, who has called for immediate action in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is reported by The Guardian.

Davies warns that the spread of superbugs could render routine medical procedures, such as surgeries or childbirth, extremely risky. Currently, around one million people die each year due to AMR, and these figures are only increasing. Projections indicate that by 2050, mortality from superbugs could double, with the elderly being among the most vulnerable groups.

"Recent data shows that AMR is decreasing in children under five, which is good news. However, for those over 70, the mortality rate has risen by 80% since 1990. This is concerning," Davies noted.

Scientists assert that as the population ages, more individuals are living with chronic illnesses, making them more susceptible to AMR.

One of the contributing factors to this issue is the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock. Nearly 70% of all antibiotics are used to treat or prevent diseases in animals, creating ideal conditions for the development of resistant bacteria. These can spread through contaminated water bodies, soil, and even air.

"Essentially, we are administering antibiotics to cows, chickens, and sheep as a cheap alternative to growth promoters or preventive measures to stop disease spread," Davies said.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that no new classes of antibiotics have been introduced to the market since the 1980s. This is due to the low financial viability of their development, as antibiotics are used less frequently than, for example, medications for chronic diseases.

"Medications for blood pressure that must be taken daily, or cancer drugs that need to be used for months, yield much greater profits for the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, there is little incentive to develop new antibiotics. This is a real headache," Davies explained.

It is worth noting that the problem of superbugs has prompted scientists to search for new medications or alternatives to existing ones. Researchers are increasingly exploring bacteriophages.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Health Minister Viktor Lyashko warned that in just 10 years, pneumonia may become untreatable due to bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.

This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict it. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For diagnosis, please consult a physician.