The prospect that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) could result in 10 million deaths globally each year is a “convincing” reason to continue the battle against AMR says the European Commission (EC), commenting today in an evaluation of the EU’s AMR Action Plan for 2011-2016.
Concluding that the plan had delivered “clear added value” for the EU, the Commission said the 2011-2016 document had:
- acted as a symbol of political commitment,
- stimulated actions within member states,
- strengthened international cooperation, and
- provided a framework to guide and coordinate activities on AMR at international level in relation to monitoring, surveillance and R&D.
Looking to the future, the EC said its evaluation showed there is a clear need to support and assist member states in developing and implementing national action plans to reduce differences between them in the use of antimicrobials.
It also stressed the need to foster collaboration across sectors, to improve the knowledge of citizens and to strengthen monitoring and surveillance systems by developing expertise on methodologies, solid indicators and instruments.
The EC also said its evaluation demonstrated the need for continuing coordination and collaboration on AMR research in relation to:
- developing new antimicrobials,
- rapid diagnostic tests,
- vaccines and alternative treatments,
- new business models,
- sustained investment,
- increasing knowledge on the transmission of AMR, and
- better understanding of the mechanisms causing resistance.
“Furthermore,” it added, “given the cross-border nature of AMR, a strong EU voice at international level remains necessary; to raise awareness, to encourage countries to consider their own measures against AMR and to take global measures such as WHO implementing policies and the development of OIE standards.”