Antibiotic development: a victim of market forces?

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a major health concern as the number of clinically useful treatment options diminishes. However, this area of research has not proven to be highly attractive to the pharmaceutical industry; indeed, several major companies have announced the termination of efforts in the arena of antibiotics. The rationale behind these strategic shifts may not be immediately evident to the general public or even to physicians. This feature review addresses some of the factors that have played a role in the current paucity of new antibiotics under development, and discusses the dangerous repercussions if major changes are not implemented soon.