The more people know about the harmful effects of overusing antibiotics, the less they might use them for treating a common cold, a medical researcher says.

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change or mutate so that antibiotics no longer work in people who need them to treat infections, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The agency calls it a “major threat to public health” and notes that common infections and minor injuries that were treatable for decades could kill again.

Ramanan Laxminarayan who directs the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy explains to Bruce Edwards why the easy-access to antibiotics is a good and bad thing.

Duration: 3’38’'