More needs to be done to tackle the problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria, the Prime Minister has said. He warned that medicine could be set back significantly unless steps were taken to develop new drugs: “If we fail to act, we are looking at an almost unthinkable scenario where antibiotics no longer work and we are cast back into the dark ages of medicine where treatable infections and injuries will kill once again.”

The PM has discussed the issue with other G7 leaders and a review led by economist Jim O’Neill will look at why no new antibiotics have been introduced in recent years.

Professor Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, said antimicrobial resistant posed a significant threat to the country and welcomed the new action by the PM.