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Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-persp...ead-un-meeting
Report outlines drug-resistance steps ahead of UN meeting
Filed Under:
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Stephanie Soucheray | News Reporter | CIDRAP News
| Sep 08, 2016
In April of this year, leading experts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from 30 different countries met at a summit in London to address the mounting evidence that shows antimicrobial resistance is a public health crisis. Yesterday the Wellcome Trust published the group's findings, with recommendations in three main areas:
AMR gaining higher profile
Noting that while AMR has been understood as a threat in the medical world for decades, the political world is finally taking action to address AMR through law and policy. The report is meant to guide and influence the United Nations General Assembly's High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, which will be held later this month in New York.
The group noted that all its recommendations are rooted in public policy and are meant to be implemented at national levels for low-, high-, and middle-income countries. For countries in which resources are scarce for surveillance and stewardship programs, the group suggests looking at AMR in a new light.
"If AMR is seen as a development issue, development assistance agencies need to integrate AMR into their core activities," the authors said. Throughout the report, they recommend that high-income countries invest in fighting AMR in low-income nations.
The authors note that while more research is needed to both understand AMR and develop new antibiotics, there are key actions that can be put in place immediately to help mitigate and slow AMR.
Agriculture and antibiotics
The group called for the immediate end of using antibiotics as "growth promoters," in agriculture. Instead, high-income countries need to refocus efforts on animal husbandry practices and animal vaccinations, which can reduce the use of antibiotics.
Phasing out antibiotics in agriculture in low-income countries will be challenging, the group said. Insuring producers while they phase out antibiotics, increasing AMR education in veterinary and agricultural training, and maintaining strict hygiene practices on food production sites are ways to tackle AMR in agriculture, they noted.
Surveillance and strong public health
Gathering and using local clinical data on AMR is also key, the report said. "As well as their clinical value, AMR data can be used to persuade policymakers and politicians of the need for local action," the authors wrote. Surveillance systems of AMR outcomes will also help national health systems identify key targets for combatting AMR.
Two main targets to focus on are antibiotic usage (adhering to prescription guidelines) and healthcare-associated infections.
Finally, the report said that strengthening the tenets of public health?clean water, sanitation, and community education?will go a long way in limiting AMR.
Communicating AMR to the public
Communicating the risks of AMR to the general public is a key part of fighting AMR, the authors said. "Targeted public education was thought to be essential to minimize demand for unnecessary antibiotics in primary care and to communicate the rationale for reduced use in agriculture."
The report concluded with sobering statistics: AMR could cause 10 million deaths per year in the coming decades, surpassing cancer as a global cause of death. But unlike so many global public health threats, AMR can be addressed with existing resources.
"AMR is therefore a formidable global health challenge, but numerous tools already exist to limit its impact," the authors said.
See also:
Sep 7 Wellcome Trust report
Sep 7 Nature correspondence
Report outlines drug-resistance steps ahead of UN meeting
Filed Under:
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Stephanie Soucheray | News Reporter | CIDRAP News
| Sep 08, 2016
In April of this year, leading experts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from 30 different countries met at a summit in London to address the mounting evidence that shows antimicrobial resistance is a public health crisis. Yesterday the Wellcome Trust published the group's findings, with recommendations in three main areas:
- Responsibly reducing agricultural use of antibiotics
- Improving surveillance systems for antibiotic use and resistance in people and animals
- Strengthening public health systems so antibiotics can be used optimally
AMR gaining higher profile
Noting that while AMR has been understood as a threat in the medical world for decades, the political world is finally taking action to address AMR through law and policy. The report is meant to guide and influence the United Nations General Assembly's High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, which will be held later this month in New York.
The group noted that all its recommendations are rooted in public policy and are meant to be implemented at national levels for low-, high-, and middle-income countries. For countries in which resources are scarce for surveillance and stewardship programs, the group suggests looking at AMR in a new light.
"If AMR is seen as a development issue, development assistance agencies need to integrate AMR into their core activities," the authors said. Throughout the report, they recommend that high-income countries invest in fighting AMR in low-income nations.
The authors note that while more research is needed to both understand AMR and develop new antibiotics, there are key actions that can be put in place immediately to help mitigate and slow AMR.
Agriculture and antibiotics
The group called for the immediate end of using antibiotics as "growth promoters," in agriculture. Instead, high-income countries need to refocus efforts on animal husbandry practices and animal vaccinations, which can reduce the use of antibiotics.
Phasing out antibiotics in agriculture in low-income countries will be challenging, the group said. Insuring producers while they phase out antibiotics, increasing AMR education in veterinary and agricultural training, and maintaining strict hygiene practices on food production sites are ways to tackle AMR in agriculture, they noted.
Surveillance and strong public health
Gathering and using local clinical data on AMR is also key, the report said. "As well as their clinical value, AMR data can be used to persuade policymakers and politicians of the need for local action," the authors wrote. Surveillance systems of AMR outcomes will also help national health systems identify key targets for combatting AMR.
Two main targets to focus on are antibiotic usage (adhering to prescription guidelines) and healthcare-associated infections.
Finally, the report said that strengthening the tenets of public health?clean water, sanitation, and community education?will go a long way in limiting AMR.
Communicating AMR to the public
Communicating the risks of AMR to the general public is a key part of fighting AMR, the authors said. "Targeted public education was thought to be essential to minimize demand for unnecessary antibiotics in primary care and to communicate the rationale for reduced use in agriculture."
The report concluded with sobering statistics: AMR could cause 10 million deaths per year in the coming decades, surpassing cancer as a global cause of death. But unlike so many global public health threats, AMR can be addressed with existing resources.
"AMR is therefore a formidable global health challenge, but numerous tools already exist to limit its impact," the authors said.
See also:
Sep 7 Wellcome Trust report
Sep 7 Nature correspondence