Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance
Recommendations for future collaboration between the U.S. and EU
Executive summary
Antimicrobial resistance, or the ability of microorganisms to withstand treatment with drugs to which they were once
susceptible, is a significant and multifaceted public health problem. In addition, the scarcity of new antimicrobial agents
and the dearth of new agents in the drug development pipeline limit treatment options, particularly for patients with
infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. The societal and financial costs of treating antimicrobialresistant infections place a significant human and economic burden on society, as individuals infected with drug-resistant
organisms are more likely to remain in the hospital for a longer period of time and to have a poor prognosis.
In response to the mounting threat of antimicrobial resistance, the Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance
(TATFAR) was established by Presidential declaration in 2009 at the annual summit between the EU and US
presidencies. The purpose of the taskforce is to identify urgent antimicrobial resistance issues that could be better
addressed by intensified cooperation between the US and the EU within the following key areas:
Through regular meetings and several public consultations, the members of the TATFAR have identified a set of 17
recommendations in these key areas where future cooperation would prove fruitful. Each recommendation is explained
in detail, along with timelines for implementation and appropriate implementers in the Recommendations section. A
summary of the recommendations can be found below.
Upon adoption of the recommendations contained in this document, the TATFAR intends to begin the process of
implementation. The TATFAR would oversee the proposed activities for a period of two years to ensure that
implementation is carried out.
Full report: ECDC
Recommendations for future collaboration between the U.S. and EU
Executive summary
Antimicrobial resistance, or the ability of microorganisms to withstand treatment with drugs to which they were once
susceptible, is a significant and multifaceted public health problem. In addition, the scarcity of new antimicrobial agents
and the dearth of new agents in the drug development pipeline limit treatment options, particularly for patients with
infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. The societal and financial costs of treating antimicrobialresistant infections place a significant human and economic burden on society, as individuals infected with drug-resistant
organisms are more likely to remain in the hospital for a longer period of time and to have a poor prognosis.
In response to the mounting threat of antimicrobial resistance, the Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance
(TATFAR) was established by Presidential declaration in 2009 at the annual summit between the EU and US
presidencies. The purpose of the taskforce is to identify urgent antimicrobial resistance issues that could be better
addressed by intensified cooperation between the US and the EU within the following key areas:
Through regular meetings and several public consultations, the members of the TATFAR have identified a set of 17
recommendations in these key areas where future cooperation would prove fruitful. Each recommendation is explained
in detail, along with timelines for implementation and appropriate implementers in the Recommendations section. A
summary of the recommendations can be found below.
Upon adoption of the recommendations contained in this document, the TATFAR intends to begin the process of
implementation. The TATFAR would oversee the proposed activities for a period of two years to ensure that
implementation is carried out.
Full report: ECDC