The European Commission has presented on 29 June a new action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The action plan is underpinned by a “one health” approach that addresses resistance in both humans and animals. Overall, the action plan contains more 75 actions built on three main pillars: 1) Making the EU a best-practice region; 2) Boosting research, development and innovation; and 3): Shaping the global agenda. More concretely, the Commission will, for example, support the research into the development of new antimicrobials and alternative products; support the establishment of a European-wide sustainable clinical research network; continue to support research into the development of new effective preventive vaccines; and support the establishment of a virtual research institute. The Commission has already adopted the first deliverable of the plan, EU Guidelines on the prudent use of antimicrobials in human health. AMR is a growing threat that is responsible for 25,000 deaths and a loss of €1.5 billion in the EU every year. EuCheMS has provided input on this topic at a STOA event organised (by STOA, EuCheMS and EFMC) last year at the European Parliament.

Source: http://europa.eu/