![A coloured transmission electron micrograph of a deadly cluster of resistant staphylococcus bacteria.](/web/20161211030640im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/y/h/e/a/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gt7wyd.png/1481404284443.jpg)
'Patients will die if they don't fix this': warning amid national antibiotics shortage
A national shortage of three first line antibiotics is forcing hospitals to stockpile, ration and use back-up treatments that expose patients battling serious infection to more toxic drugs, and embolden superbugs.