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When The Drugs Don’t Work : The Hidden Pandemic that Could End Modern Medicine
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 16, 2024
Neatly compiled and extensively researched writing about the terrifying antibiotic resistance crisis that we are currently staring at. Yes, there are many books on it already out there, but this certainly is a topic that we need to continue to talk about (probably should be shouting from rooftops!) and this one does stand out for how the author shines special focus on the issue from a much needed Indian perspective. I particularly loved how detailed the chapter on NDM-1 was - doubt if anyone has ever compiled all the facts on it in one place before. Hope to see this more on the shelves of Indian bookstores - a need of the hour topic on scientific education and awareness.
June 22, 2024
Anirban Mahapatra, a microbiologist, dives into the looming crisis of antibiotic resistance in the book. Antibiotics, one of the cornerstones of modern medicine, are becoming increasingly ineffective against infectious diseases due to the overuse and misuse of these medications. This has led to the rise of superbugs, bacteria that have evolved to resist even the strongest antibiotics.
The book explores the causes of antibiotic resistance, including the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and medicine, as well as the lack of development of new antibiotics. Mahapatra also discusses the potential consequences of a world where antibiotics no longer work. Simple infections could become deadly, and common surgeries could become too risky to perform. The book argues that antibiotic resistance is a serious public health threat and calls for a multi-pronged approach.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- The Threat: Antibiotic overuse and misuse have led to the development of superbugs, bacteria that can’t be controlled by existing medications.
- The Stakes: Simple infections that were once easily treated could become deadly. Surgeries and other medical procedures that rely on antibiotics could become too risky.
- The Cause: The book explores how the overuse of antibiotics in medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry has contributed to the rise of superbugs.
- The Solution: Mahapatra discusses potential solutions, which may include developing new antibiotics, finding alternative therapies to fight infections, and stricter regulations on antibiotic use.
“When the Drugs Don’t Work” is a wake-up call about the importance of antibiotic stewardship. The book will likely interest anyone who wants to learn more about this critical public health issue.
Here are some potential takeaways from the book:
- The importance of antibiotic stewardship: We need to use antibiotics judiciously and only when they are essential. The book serves as a wake-up call about the importance of antibiotic stewardship and the need to find new ways to combat infectious diseases.
- The need for new antibiotics: Research and development of new antibiotics is essential to combat the threat of superbugs.
- The importance of public awareness: Educating the public about antibiotic resistance is critical to changing behaviour.
If you are interested in learning more about antibiotic resistance, “When the Drugs Don’t Work” is a must-read.
The book explores the causes of antibiotic resistance, including the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and medicine, as well as the lack of development of new antibiotics. Mahapatra also discusses the potential consequences of a world where antibiotics no longer work. Simple infections could become deadly, and common surgeries could become too risky to perform. The book argues that antibiotic resistance is a serious public health threat and calls for a multi-pronged approach.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- The Threat: Antibiotic overuse and misuse have led to the development of superbugs, bacteria that can’t be controlled by existing medications.
- The Stakes: Simple infections that were once easily treated could become deadly. Surgeries and other medical procedures that rely on antibiotics could become too risky.
- The Cause: The book explores how the overuse of antibiotics in medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry has contributed to the rise of superbugs.
- The Solution: Mahapatra discusses potential solutions, which may include developing new antibiotics, finding alternative therapies to fight infections, and stricter regulations on antibiotic use.
“When the Drugs Don’t Work” is a wake-up call about the importance of antibiotic stewardship. The book will likely interest anyone who wants to learn more about this critical public health issue.
Here are some potential takeaways from the book:
- The importance of antibiotic stewardship: We need to use antibiotics judiciously and only when they are essential. The book serves as a wake-up call about the importance of antibiotic stewardship and the need to find new ways to combat infectious diseases.
- The need for new antibiotics: Research and development of new antibiotics is essential to combat the threat of superbugs.
- The importance of public awareness: Educating the public about antibiotic resistance is critical to changing behaviour.
If you are interested in learning more about antibiotic resistance, “When the Drugs Don’t Work” is a must-read.
September 24, 2024
Rise of superbugs. Unregulated supply and production of antibiotics. Flawed medical practices. Monopolising the pharma industry. Radicalised environmental and climate change.
Rarely do I read books in the medical field. When I do, I look for those that offer a strong emphasis on public healthcare awareness and have the potential to shape a better future for health in a short time. This book was much anticipated in the post-pandemic period following COVID-19, a time when the fragility of our healthcare systems became evident, particularly in the context of rising antibiotic resistance.
Facts nuanced
I expected a different set of insights from this book given the title, but I was confronted with an entirely different narrative that challenged my understanding of antibiotic use and resistance. In simple terms, this book addresses the issues with antibiotics, reveals the stark reality of resistant pathogens, and warns about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, all while tracing its history and the rise of resistant bacteria.
It doesn't just present facts; it tells a story of not just individual health but public safety as a whole.
Reality checked
This book consists of 15 chapters that are neatly crafted to explore the fundamentals of microbes and antimicrobial resistance, dating back to the discovery of penicillin and beyond. While examining the failures in developing effective antibacterial drugs, the author emphasises the need to revisit the problem of superbugs, raising important questions: Why do we need to examine the failure in developing effective antibacterial drugs? What should be done to address the problem of superbugs, which is a socioeconomic issue, not just a medical threat?
The author's narrative is insightful, but unnecessarily complicated text made it harder to navigate through the pages. This book is for everyone, and I urge anyone with even a slight interest in how modern science addresses the evolving threats to read it.
Recommended!
Rarely do I read books in the medical field. When I do, I look for those that offer a strong emphasis on public healthcare awareness and have the potential to shape a better future for health in a short time. This book was much anticipated in the post-pandemic period following COVID-19, a time when the fragility of our healthcare systems became evident, particularly in the context of rising antibiotic resistance.
Facts nuanced
I expected a different set of insights from this book given the title, but I was confronted with an entirely different narrative that challenged my understanding of antibiotic use and resistance. In simple terms, this book addresses the issues with antibiotics, reveals the stark reality of resistant pathogens, and warns about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, all while tracing its history and the rise of resistant bacteria.
It doesn't just present facts; it tells a story of not just individual health but public safety as a whole.
Reality checked
This book consists of 15 chapters that are neatly crafted to explore the fundamentals of microbes and antimicrobial resistance, dating back to the discovery of penicillin and beyond. While examining the failures in developing effective antibacterial drugs, the author emphasises the need to revisit the problem of superbugs, raising important questions: Why do we need to examine the failure in developing effective antibacterial drugs? What should be done to address the problem of superbugs, which is a socioeconomic issue, not just a medical threat?
The author's narrative is insightful, but unnecessarily complicated text made it harder to navigate through the pages. This book is for everyone, and I urge anyone with even a slight interest in how modern science addresses the evolving threats to read it.
Recommended!
December 7, 2024
-A Hidden Fear Unlocked-
Review of 'When Drugs Don't Work- by Anirban Mahapatra
✒️📖
Dystopian novels have described with relish the death of people from lack of antibiotics. There are subplots that run around people on an antibiotic run, trying to find a medicine to cure a spreading infection. Historical fiction isn't far behind. In Mario Puzo's first novel, a female character dies of a tooth abscess having denied the Penicillin. Since then, we have come a long way. The books now focus on the debilitating effect of medicines in general and antibiotics in particular.
When drugs don't work talks about a scary phenomenon- 'What if the medicines you trust no longer work?'. It talks about a hidden pandemic that could end modern medicine. And its concerns are valid. I read somewhere in an article that research around the discovery of new antibiotics is painfully lacking, leading to not a single antibiotic being discovered in recent decades.
In this book, Mahapatra draws a portrait of a country where newborns die every day from hospital acquired infections. Read this "Approximately 60,000 babies in the country who die each year from infections caused by bacteria that don't respond to front-line antibiotics.These superbugs threaten to upend modern medicine and push back decades of progress in improving the quality of life in India."
The fears expressed in the book aren't unfounded. The scientists have already discovered a deadly superbug in India. Globally about 4 crores people die from superbug infection every year. Read this book to know how you can prevent it.
Review of 'When Drugs Don't Work- by Anirban Mahapatra
✒️📖
Dystopian novels have described with relish the death of people from lack of antibiotics. There are subplots that run around people on an antibiotic run, trying to find a medicine to cure a spreading infection. Historical fiction isn't far behind. In Mario Puzo's first novel, a female character dies of a tooth abscess having denied the Penicillin. Since then, we have come a long way. The books now focus on the debilitating effect of medicines in general and antibiotics in particular.
When drugs don't work talks about a scary phenomenon- 'What if the medicines you trust no longer work?'. It talks about a hidden pandemic that could end modern medicine. And its concerns are valid. I read somewhere in an article that research around the discovery of new antibiotics is painfully lacking, leading to not a single antibiotic being discovered in recent decades.
In this book, Mahapatra draws a portrait of a country where newborns die every day from hospital acquired infections. Read this "Approximately 60,000 babies in the country who die each year from infections caused by bacteria that don't respond to front-line antibiotics.These superbugs threaten to upend modern medicine and push back decades of progress in improving the quality of life in India."
The fears expressed in the book aren't unfounded. The scientists have already discovered a deadly superbug in India. Globally about 4 crores people die from superbug infection every year. Read this book to know how you can prevent it.
June 14, 2024
"The age of antibiotics is ending. If we don’t act now, we will soon find ourselves in a world where minor injuries and common infections are deadly once more."
📚 Just finished reading "When The Drugs Don't Work" by Anirban Mahapatra, and it was an eye-opener! Have you ever wondered what would happen if antibiotics stopped working? 🤔💊
When The Drugs Don't Work by Anirban Mahapatra is a sobering exploration of the crisis of antibiotic resistance. This meticulously researched book takes readers through the history of antibiotics, their revolutionary impact on medicine, and the alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Mahapatra's narrative sheds light on a future where common infections could once again become deadly. This is a read for anyone concerned about the future of healthcare and the steps we must take to prevent a global health catastrophe.
ANIRBAN MAHAPATRA is the author of the book, COVID-19: Separating Fact from Fiction, and writes a popular science column for the Hindustan Times.
Non-fiction/Health
Price - Rs 599
Publisher -
Juggernaut Books
📚 Just finished reading "When The Drugs Don't Work" by Anirban Mahapatra, and it was an eye-opener! Have you ever wondered what would happen if antibiotics stopped working? 🤔💊
When The Drugs Don't Work by Anirban Mahapatra is a sobering exploration of the crisis of antibiotic resistance. This meticulously researched book takes readers through the history of antibiotics, their revolutionary impact on medicine, and the alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Mahapatra's narrative sheds light on a future where common infections could once again become deadly. This is a read for anyone concerned about the future of healthcare and the steps we must take to prevent a global health catastrophe.
ANIRBAN MAHAPATRA is the author of the book, COVID-19: Separating Fact from Fiction, and writes a popular science column for the Hindustan Times.
Non-fiction/Health
Price - Rs 599
Publisher -
Juggernaut Books
June 28, 2025
Fascinating read about how the overuse of antibiotics are creating Super bugs (Bacterias that do not respond to antibiotics). The unique ability of Bacteria to inherit genes from other bacterias in sorroundigs (Like picking up singing skill from a friend by just sitting next to the friend). We have not yet been successful in inventing new antibiotics in lab (for commercial use yet). Antibiotics in use today are the ones extracted from the microbes that is occuring in natural environment.
Like his first book, like the way Anirban writes. Makes it easy for non people medical background to understand how things work. Starts withe first principles. Interesting stories. Short and too the point.
Like his first book, like the way Anirban writes. Makes it easy for non people medical background to understand how things work. Starts withe first principles. Interesting stories. Short and too the point.
August 1, 2024
This was a basic and a crystal-clear primer on antibiotics, their history, drug resistance, and why this is such an urgent challenge. Great for non-biologists, but even for a biologist, it contains fascinating dips into the history of microbiology and antibiotic discovery.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews