About this episode

The episode discusses the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria and its implications for global health.

The rapid spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria is already claiming lives and a far greater global crisis is on the horizon. In the first episode of a three-part series, reporter Roland Pease traces the rise of resistance since the discovery of penicillin, its consequences for patients, and how bacteria are getting widening the treatment gap.

People in this episode

Host: Roland Pease

Topics covered

• antibiotic resistance
• health crisis
• bacteria
• medical history
• treatment gap

Keywords

• superbugs
• antibiotic resistance
• health crisis
• bacteria
• penicillin
• treatment gap

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC World Service

Books & works: penicillin

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• The Life Scientific: Jim Ashworth-Beaumont · April 27, 2026 · 26 min
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• Superbugs: Resistance Rising Part 3 · April 6, 2026 · 29 min
• Superbugs: Resistance rising, part 2 · March 30, 2026 · 26 min
• The Life Scientific: Jehane Ragai · March 16, 2026 · 26 min

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