The European Commission has announced plans to launch a new Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) action plan in 2017, a development unveiled today by EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis (pictured above), timed to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD).
“Since we became aware of the dangers of AMR, the EU had led the way in the fight against this massive threat for humankind,” he said, adding that while EU actions concerning AMR have provided a framework to guide and coordinate activities at both European and international levels, more work is needed.
“To further cement the EU’s position as global leader in the fight against AMR the European Commission will launch, in 2017, a second Action Plan building upon and strengthening the work already done and supporting Member States in the implementation and monitoring of their National Action Plans.”
EAAD, which is a European health initiative coordinated by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), was also marked by the release of the EU’s latest annual AMR surveillance results.
“These show that in 2015, antibiotic resistance continued to increase for most bacteria and antibiotics under surveillance,” said the EC.
“Resistance to last line antibiotics that treat pneumoniae (carbapenem) increased from 6.2% in 2012 to 8.1% in 2015. Resistance to carbapenems and polymyxins (e.g. colistin), two groups of antibiotics considered as last treatment options for patients infected with bacteria resistant to other available antibiotics was also reported.
“While antibiotic consumption in hospitals significantly increased in several EU Member States, their consumption in the community decreased in six EU Member States.”