The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in a recent study found that the effectiveness of 18 available antibiotics in the market has dropped by 50 percent. These medicines are usually prescribed for urinary tract infections, pneumonia, injuries and other infections.

Researchers said patients receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are at the highest risk of decreased effectiveness. There is no new effective antibiotic in the market currently.

Dr Zakir Hossain Habib, head science officer of the Microbiology department at IEDCR recently spoke with The Daily Star about antibiotic resistance.