Final answer:
Pharmaceutical companies use advanced technology and invest heavily in R&D for new antibiotics due to the threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Funding and incentives for antimicrobial research and development are crucial to address this public health concern.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pharmaceutical companies are capable of creating new antibiotics that are stronger or more effective primarily due to advanced technology. The process of developing new drugs requires significant investments in research and development. These companies allocate a considerable proportion of their R&D budget to the discovery of natural compounds that possess medicinal properties. Moreover, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to natural selection has necessitated the development of new antibiotics.
Recent initiatives, like the White House's executive order on "Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria", and global recommendations, call for increased research funding and financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies. This collaborative effort aims to accelerate the development of new antimicrobial agents and counteract the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
However, the challenges are substantial as it takes many years of research and extensive funding to bring new antibiotics to market. Despite this, the need for effective treatments against drug-resistant superbugs makes the quest for antimicrobial research and development a priority in public health.