EU intensifies fight against antimicrobial resistance

The AMR recommendation, announced April 26 along with the Commission's proposed revision of pharmaceutical legislation, will help combat AMR in the areas of human, animal and environmental health, according to the so-called "One Health" approach.

The recommendation focuses on infection prevention and control, surveillance and monitoring, innovation and availability of antimicrobials, prudent use, and cooperation - between member states and globally.

Several EU targets have been set for 2030, developed in conjunction with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC):

• A 20 percent reduction in total antibiotic consumption in humans;
• At least 65% of all antibiotics consumed by humans should work effectively (using the right antibiotic);
• Reducing infections with three key antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which will mainly apply to hospitals.

These targets, which are recommended at the EU level and also translate to the individual country level, will help the EU to control AMR with national specificity and without compromising patient health and safety. They will also enable better monitoring of infections and antibiotic consumption in the coming years and adjust policy-making accordingly.

The recommendation also reaffirms the EU's leading international role in AMR, and calls on the Commission and member states to include AMR in the pandemic agreement currently being negotiated. The recommendation also calls for keeping AMR high on the agenda of the G-7 and G-20.

Context

Antimicrobial agents are essential medicines. Over the years, however, their excessive and inappropriate use has led to an increase in resistance to these agents, which means they are losing their effectiveness and treating infections is becoming more difficult, if not impossible. The Commission therefore included a proposal for a Council recommendation containing complementary measures in the pharmaceutical package in April. In fact, the revision of EU pharmaceutical legislation is also aimed at speeding up the development of innovative new antimicrobials, as well as ensuring their prudent use and reducing their environmental impact.

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