Introduction: The current resistance of germs to antimicrobials constitutes a serious health problem throughout the world. Mechanisms may be intrinsic or adaptive. The indiscriminate and irrational use of these drugs is the main cause of the gravity of the situation that is presented today. Objective: to carry out an updated review about of antibiotics, resistance, its causes and mechanisms and the importance of the knowledge and application of the antimicrobial policy. Material and Methods: A bibliographic research in different databases was carried out: Clinical Evidence, The Cochrane Library, PUBMED, Academic, MEDLINE, LIS, SciELO, Medscape, LILACS, Latindex, HINARI, MEDIGRAPHIC-NEWS, NIH Reporter, Google Scholar and in the PAHO / WHO website about the topics, microbial resistance, antimicrobial policy and hospital or associated health care infections. Development: The concepts of microbial resistance, its established mechanisms, the resistance and multiresistance of current germs, the importance of the antimicrobial policy and its derivatives and how to prevent, combat and diminish the effects of this health problem are considered. Conclusions: It is very important to update and raise awareness of the problem, as well as professional, institutional, oversight of agencies and organizations, state and government. The importance of epidemiological surveillance, Hospital Infection Committee, resistance information and the analysis of the quality of medical care with the appropriate use of antimicrobials drugs are important in confronting this health problem.Keywords: Microbial resistance, bacterial resistances, antibiotics, antimicrobial political, health actions.</p
