Antibiotics voted the greatest medical development of last 50 years--survey

To celebrate five decades of medical achievements, a poll was carried ahead of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh's (RCPE) 50th St Andrew's Day Festival Symposium.

For the purpose of the survey, 650 doctors throughout Scotland, the UK and internationally were questioned.

Findings of the survey
The survey revealed that antibiotics topped the list followed by vaccination against infectious diseases which claimed the second place. Close on the heels came imaging developments such as CT and MRI scanning.

According to the survey, other medical developments that made it to the top 20 were anti-TB therapy, anti-viral therapy for HIV, statins and kidney dialysis along with kidney and liver transplantation as well as beta-blockers.

Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh stated, "As an individual, it is difficult to say which singular development has been the most important, as all doctors will have their own views regarding which development has been the most beneficial within their own area of specialisation, be it cardiology or infectious diseases.

"From the results of this survey it is clear that doctors throughout Scotland, UK and internationally believe the most important developments to be in relation to the availability of effective antibiotics and vaccination."

A little about antibiotics
Antibiotics can truly be considered as the epitome of the 20th century's “wonder drugs.”

They are medicines that have an anti-bacterial impact that either kill bacteria in the system or keep them from reproducing, allowing the infected body to heal by strengthening its immunity and overcoming the infection.

Penicillin, the iconic antibiotic was first discovered in 1928 by Alexander Flemming at St Mary's Hospital Medical School in London.

However, further antibiotic discoveries and its medical applications took off in the 1960s.

Antibiotics were soon hailed as 'wonder drugs' and effectively used to treat formerly life-threatening infections and cure disease caused by bacteria, such as TB, syphilis and pneumonia.

Some adverse effects
Antibiotics are also known to have adverse effects. One side effect of taking antibiotics for an infection is that it can leave the body defenseless against other non-bacterial types of infections.

Widespread and inappropriate use of antibiotics is responsible for the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This has led to the emergence of hospital infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

Dr Neil Dewhurst stated,"It is also vital that doctors and patients are aware of the dangers of over-using antibiotics and that antibiotics are prescribed safely and wisely in order to reduce the risk of drug resistance and problems like MRSA and C. difficile."