The Department of Health and Social Care has opened a new consultation on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which seeks views to inform to next five-year plan to tackle what has been described as the next potential global pandemic.
The consultation will bring together the latest evidence and data from experts on AMR and aims to capture learnings from the Covid pandemic to help shape the UK’s 2024-2029 national action plan.
Since the publication of the 2019 strategy, Government has made progress in tackling AMR by reducing the use of antibiotics in food producing animals and securing commitments to tackle AMR on several ministerial tracks during the UK’s G7 presidency.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy on AMR said:
"Antimicrobial Resistance may be the defining health challenge of this century.
"I am proud of the UK’s efforts on research and development, stewardship, surveillance and international engagement across all sectors. I hope that our next National Action Plan will show that we can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and collaborate to step up our actions."
Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director of Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said:
"Antimicrobial resistance is not a distant problem that we can ignore – infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria are killing thousands of people every year in this country and globally, as well as having a huge economic impact.
"Our extensive data and surveillance programmes have identified the immense scale of the issue in this country. It has pinpointed areas for action, with targets to improve prescribing and limit antimicrobial-resistant and healthcare-associated infections over the last 5 years. We will continue to work with partners to respond to current threats and prepare for future challenges.
"It is vital the future National Action Plan targets include measures to limit resistance, incentivise best practice in prescribing, and facilitate novel diagnostics and therapeutics."
Recent estimates suggest that AMR causes 1.27 million deaths globally each year and 7,600 deaths in the UK each year.
