Professor Piddock pointed out that 16 new antibacterial agents were approved and brought to market between 1983-1987, compared with less than four agents since 2008.

BBC: Action on antibiotics

Microbiologist at the University of Birmingham, Prof Laura Piddock, told BBC's Newsnight that antibiotics are miracle drugs which underpin all areas of 21st Century medicine.

BBC: Battling the bacterial threat to modern medicine

Unusually, Prof Piddock, and other specialists like her, are campaigning to persuade governments and industry to do more to preserve current antibiotics, and find new ones.

BBC: Battling the bacterial threat to modern medicine

Prof Piddock explained that when you take an antibiotic you are having an impact not only on your health, but potentially on that of other people too.

BBC: Battling the bacterial threat to modern medicine

The programme, to be screened next year, will also include appearances by Guest and the show's executive producer Jim Piddock, who worked with Guest on Best In Show and For Your Consideration.

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Writing in The Lancet Infectious Diseases medical journal, Prof Laura Piddock of the school of immunity and infection at the University of Birmingham warned there were global implications from the misuse of antibiotics, and drug companies' failures to develop new ones.

BBC: Myth that antibiotics cure coughs and colds still rife