Abstract
Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite this fact, as well as the increasing recognition that microbial resistance is emerging as a serious threat to human health, antimicrobial research and development are declining. The current situation has evolved through a complex interaction of scientific, economic and regulatory forces. New approaches are needed. If therapies are unavailable or failing, we have only two options: we can prevent infections or we can develop new strategies to deal with them.