The Discovery of Antibiotics: Penicillin and the Golden Age of Medicine
In short: Alexander Fleming noticed in 1928 that penicillin mould killed bacteria. Mass-produced in the 1940s, antibiotics transformed survival from infections — but their overuse now drives antimicrobial resistance.
A lucky observation
In 1928 Fleming saw that a Penicillium mould had stopped bacteria growing on a culture plate. Howard Florey and Ernst Chain purified penicillin at Oxford around 1940, and mass production during the Second World War saved countless soldiers. The three shared the 1945 Nobel Prize.
The golden age
Between the 1940s and 1960s most of today's antibiotic classes were discovered, including streptomycin — the first effective TB drug — tetracyclines and macrolides. Pneumonia, sepsis and wound infections became treatable.
Fleming's warning
In his 1945 Nobel lecture Fleming warned that underdosing could make bacteria resistant. That warning has come true: few new antibiotic classes have been discovered since the 1980s, and resistance is rising worldwide, including in Nepal.
Key takeaways
- Penicillin was discovered in 1928 and mass-produced in the 1940s.
- Streptomycin was the first effective TB treatment.
- Antibiotic misuse leads to resistance.
Common questions
Do antibiotics work against viruses?
No. They do not treat colds, flu or COVID-19.
Should I stop antibiotics when I feel better?
Follow the prescriber's advice on the full course and never share or self-prescribe antibiotics.
References
Educational content by PHC-Nepal. It does not replace advice from a qualified health professional.