Australia’s top doctors are sounding the alarm on drug-resistant superbugs, warning they’re becoming one of the biggest health threats of our time.

Without urgent action, there are warnings that common infections could kill more people than cancer.

Chris Bond was just 19 when he was struck down by a severe infection. Antibiotics didn’t work. Within hours, doctors had to amputate his left hand, fingers on his right hand and both his legs.

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“It was just shock. I was like, what did I do to deserve this and what is going on? And what does the rest of my life look like?” he said.

Despite the devastating impact, Bond has made the most of his life, becoming a Paralympic gold medallist and captain of the Australian wheelchair rugby team.

Medical experts are now warning of the next pandemic: drug-resistant superbugs. These are bacteria or fungus that no longer respond to antibiotics or antifungals, mainly due to the overuse of those medications.

The statistics are alarming. By 2050, 10 million people could die every year from antimicrobial resistance - more deaths than cancer. Currently, 100 Australians die every week from drug-resistant infections.

Doctors are making 500 applications every month to access new antibiotics from overseas that could fight Australian superbugs, warning the minister they’re desperately needed.

But major pharmaceutical companies aren’t producing them as much anymore. There’s more money in weight loss drugs or treatments for diabetes and cholesterol.

The issue is a key topic at a major medical summit with doctors from around the world.

One proposal being discussed is the UK subscription model, where the government pays a fixed fee to secure new antibiotics even if they’re rarely used.

“If all the G7 countries come together, pharmaceutical companies tell us most will come back into novel antibiotic production,” experts say.

Without action, there are warnings that the consequences could be dire.

Infections at childbirth and post-operative infections are among the things that could kill. In addition, transplants and people with diabetes would get untreatable infections.