'Patients will die if they don't fix this': Hospitals rationing, stockpiling first-line antibiotics amid drug shortage

By Kate Aubusson
Updated January 4 2017 - 12:28pm, first published December 11 2016 - 8:14am
A coloured transmission electron micrograph of a deadly cluster of resistant staphylococcus bacteria. Photo: Science Photo Library
A coloured transmission electron micrograph of a deadly cluster of resistant staphylococcus bacteria. Photo: Science Photo Library
Professor Peter Collignon said Australia's antimicrobial shortages were "absolutely unacceptable". Photo: Supplied
Professor Peter Collignon said Australia's antimicrobial shortages were "absolutely unacceptable". Photo: Supplied

A national shortage of three first line antibiotics is forcing hospitals to stockpile, ration and use back-up treatments that expose patients battling serious infection to more toxic drugs, and embolden superbugs.

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