Every use of antibiotics promotes the development of resistance: sensitive bacteria are killed but the resistant ones survive and continue to proliferate. Antibiotic-resistant pathogens therefore often occur where many antibiotics are used, for example in hospitals, but also in agriculture.

When an antibiotic loses its efficacy, everyone is at risk: infections with resistant pathogens are usually more difficult to treat and can take a more complicated course. Particularly at risk of such infections are people with a weak immune system, autoimmune diseases, children with an immature immune system and older people with a weakening immune system. Other risk groups include organ transplant patients, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, people with diabetes and patients undergoing invasive surgery.

The development of antibiotic resistance cannot be prevented, but can at best be slowed down. Antibiotic resistance is increasing worldwide and is one of the biggest challenges for global health today.