Antibiotics initially saved millions of lives, but in just decades many of these wonder drugs are ineffective. This program reports how this happened, tracing the history of antibiotics and showing how they have been misused or overused in medicine, agriculture and domestic cleaning products. Special attention is given to the world's first case of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or VRSA. Among those who discuss the issue are Dr. Richard Besser, director of the CDC's national campaign to reduce antimicrobial resistance, and Dr. Stuart Levy, author of The antibiotic paradox and founder of the Alliance for the Prudent.

CIRC # 215.