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Antibiotic resistance is a universal problem. Like global warming, it requires joint action.

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  • Antibiotic resistance is a universal problem. Like global warming, it requires joint action.

    Press release of anti-biotic resistance conference in Sweden.

    8 sep 2010

    TURNING ON A NEW PAGE ON ANTIBIOTICS

    For 70 years the world has mismanaged the common good of antibiotics. The result is a growing global burden of antibiotic resistance, threatening to take health care back to an era where ordinary infections might once again become fatal.

    At a historic three day conference at Uppsala University, Sweden, 190 delegates representing 45 countries and many leading stake holders ? civil society, academia, industry, governments, authorities, supranational organizations ? agreed on Wednesday to turn a new page and move towards concerted action on antibiotic resistance.

    ?This is a starting point for a global compact on antibiotic resistance?, says Professor Otto Cars, chairman of ReAct, the international network for Action on Antibiotic Resistance.

    The new signals from the Uppsala meeting include:

    - A shared conviction that antibiotic resistance is a universal problem. Like global warming, it requires joint action, not least by governmental alliances.

    - A clear signal from the pharmaceutical industry that return of investment on research and development of new antibiotics and diagnostic tools will have to be de-linked from market sales in order to boost necessary innovation while yet limiting the use of antibiotics. This requires a new business model where private and public sectors cooperate.

    - A strong recommendation to all stakeholders to speed up the efforts to limit unnecessary use of antibiotics, while at the same time making the medicines affordable and accessible in developing countries.

    - A commitment to improve the monitoring of antibiotic resistance across the world, through shared data and increased efforts. A global network of surveillance will require common methods, and is crucial for both prudent use and needs driven development of new agents.

    The year 2011 marks a new beginning. ReAct is pleased to note that the World Health Day will be devoted to antimicrobial resistance. Other initiatives across the world next year include:

    - A final report from TATFAR, The Transatlantic Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance.

    - A policy meeting on antibiotic resistance in Dehli, India.

    - A WHO Action Plan on Antibiotic Resistance.

    - A number of regional initiatives, including in Southeast Asia, Africa and The Middle East.

    A more detailed report on meeting outcomes will be made available shortly on www.reactgroup.org.

    For more information or inquiries of interviews, please contact Peter Lundstr?m of ReAct at +46 (0) 70-937 15 35, or Peter.Lundstrom@medsci.uu.se.

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