The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers Top [hot] Jun 2026

In which countries is regulatory oversight often weak, allowing antibiotics to be sold without prescription?

details factors like public health measures needed to solve the problem. Paragraph A describes the impact of the discovery of Penicillin. Paragraph E In which countries is regulatory oversight often weak,

Answer: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change and become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat infections. This happens when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics and develop mechanisms to survive and multiply. The consequences of antibiotic resistance are severe and

: More funding is required for surveillance and research. Antibiotic resistance is slower moving

The consequences of antibiotic resistance are severe and far-reaching. The passage highlights that antibiotic resistance can lead to increased mortality rates, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Moreover, the spread of resistant bacteria can compromise the success of modern medicine, making it more challenging to treat infections and perform surgeries.

The pipeline for new antibiotics is drying up. Between 2010 and 2020, only ten new antibiotics were approved, and most were variations of existing classes. Pharmaceutical companies have little financial incentive to develop new drugs because antibiotics are used for short courses and resistance limits their long-term profitability.

International bodies such as the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have launched a Global Action Plan on AMR, which over 150 countries have signed. However, implementation remains inconsistent, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where regulatory oversight is weak and antibiotics are often available without a prescription. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly a global health threat can escalate when preparedness is lacking. Antibiotic resistance is slower moving, but far more insidious. It represents a silent pandemic—one that threatens to undo a century of medical progress.