The rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria could lead to a future full of untreatable infections , experts have warned us for years . Now the Obama administration is stepping up its efforts to combat the rising problem of antibiotic resistance . The President signed an executive order Thursday establishing a new inter-agency task force charged with developing a national strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria . Dr. John Holdren , director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and assistant to the President , said the problem is a serious challenge to public health and national security . `` We are clearly in a fight against ... bacteria where no permanent treatment is possible . '' When you need antibiotics -- and when you do n't . The task force will be co-chaired by the secretaries of Health & Human Services , the Department of Defense and the Department of Agriculture . The task force must submit its national action plan to the President by February 15 , 2015 . The order also established a Presidential Advisory Council made up of nongovernmental experts who will provide advice and recommendations to strengthen surveillance of infections , research new treatments and develop alternatives to antibiotics for use in agriculture . On Thursday , the administration released `` National Strategy on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria , '' a five-year plan to prevent and contain outbreaks and develop the next generation of tests , antibiotics and vaccines . The President 's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology -- known as PCAST -- also released a report on combating antibiotic resistance . There are three main components to the report : improve surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and stop outbreaks ; increase the life of current antibiotics and develop new ones , as well as promote research accelerating clinical trials ; and increase economic incentives to develop new antibiotics . In fact , a $ 20 million prize will be given to spur development of tests health care professionals can use to identify highly resistant bacterial infections . `` What 's new here is there is a highly federal focus that 's highly coordinated , '' said Dr. Eric Lander , co-chair of PCAST . `` We are endorsing a variety of specific goals in order to get our arms around this problem . If we 're producing antibiotics at a greater rate than we 're losing them , then we win in the long run . '' Each year 23,000 deaths and 2 million illnesses are linked to antibiotic-resistant infections , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The agency estimates the impact to the economy is as high as $ 20 billion in direct health care costs . Last year , for the first time , the CDC classified drug-resistant superbugs by how dangerous they were . They were ranked `` urgent , '' `` serious '' and `` concerning '' based on how many people get sick , the number of hospitalizations and how many deaths were attributed to them . `` If we can target our efforts more effectively , '' CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said , `` we can help doctors use antibiotics more wisely . '' Dr. Jesse Goodman , director of the Center on Medical Product Access , Safety and Stewardship at Georgetown University Medical Center , says antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing global public health threats . Until earlier this year , Goodman was the Food and Drug Administration 's Chief Scientist . He co-chaired the first U.S . Task Force to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance , which released the first action plan in 2000 . He says investment in new treatments must be paired with the sensible use of new and existing antibiotics . `` Success will require a sea change . Doctors , farmers and agribusiness , health systems and the public all need to think totally differently about antibiotics , '' Goodman said . `` They are precious resources and we must reduce their inappropriate use . Better diagnosis and stronger infection control practices can make a big difference right now . ''
Obama administration steps up efforts to combat problem of antibiotic resistance . Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a serious challenge to public health and national security . Comment: