Drug-Resistant Super Bacteria Could Kill Over 10 Million More Annually by 2050

If left unchecked, antimicrobial resistant diseases could kill at least 10 million people every year by 2050.

The claims were made by a committee constituted by British Prime Minister David Cameron earlier this year to look into spread of antimicrobial superbugs and determine ways to stop them, BBC reported.

"Drug-resistant infections already kill hundreds of thousands a year globally, and by 2050 that figure could be more than 10 million. The economic cost will also be significant, with the world economy being hit by up to $100 trillion by 2050 if we do not take action," said economist Jim O'Neil who heads the review committee.

Antimicrobial resistant diseases currently kill hundreds of thousands of people across the world as second line medications exist for few diseases and drug makers are not keen to invest in what they see as non-profitable venture. The review paper pointed out procedures highly dependent on antimicrobial medication like caesarean deliveries, cancer treatment, joint replacements and organ transplants could become dangerous and even impossible if superbugs take over.

According to Fox News, the review was done by two organizations which considered only three common bacterial infections, HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. The actual numbers could be much higher.

"As big as that number might seem, it almost definitely underestimates the true economic cost," O'Neil reportedly said adding that the first paper would be followed by more next year.

The committee has also been tasked with presenting a solution to the problem including finding ways of incentivizing drug companies to produce next generation antimicrobial drugs and to change usage patterns of existing drugs to minimize the impact of superbugs.