 [ Symptoms ] according to the cdc 16 new antibiotics came to market between 1983 1987 but only 2 between 2003 2007 why so few [ Disease ] the number of new antibiotics in development is alarmingly low and it is a matter of resources antibiotics are taken for a shorter period of time and it is more economical for drug companies to make drugs that are taken for a long time we are also promoting the concept of using these antibiotics judiciously so companies and researchers do not see the economic benefit antibiotics are not used in volume like a cholesterol or diabetes medication the fda is currently considering options to facilitate new antibiotic development