Dr.  Sherwood Gorbach is Emeritus Professor of Public Health & Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine.

Superbugs, which are resistant to multiple antibiotics, have invaded our hospitals, work places and even our homes. At the same time pharmaceutical companies have reduced their discovery and commercialization of new antibiotics. Due to market pressures to reduce payments for new medicines, the incentive for developing new antibiotics that may be used for one to three weeks discourages development. The future outlook is dire – increasing need facing declining innovation.