Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Pharmaceutical waste (from factories, hospitals, and improper disposal by households) often ends up in water bodies and soil.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Antibiotics in Environment: When low levels of antibiotics are constantly present in the environment (water/soil), it creates a "selection pressure."
2. AMR: Bacteria exposed to these sub-lethal doses have a chance to adapt and develop resistance. These resistant "superbugs" can then re-infect humans, making standard treatments ineffective.
3. Impact: This is a global health crisis as it makes common infections untreatable.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Environmental contamination by antibiotics is a significant driver for the global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).