The UK government has announced the launch of a new five-year national action plan aimed at tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has been declared by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten threats to global public health.
Responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and find ways to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs. As a result, infections become harder to treat and the risk of serious complications and death increases.
National surveillance data announced in November 2023 demonstrated an increase in antibiotic resistant infections and associated deaths in England.
Approximately 58,224 people in England had an antibiotic-resistant infection in 2022, marking a rise of 4% since 2021, and deaths due to severe antibiotic-resistant infections also increased from 2,110 in 2021 to 2,202 in 2022.
Although AMR occurs naturally, inappropriate and excessive use of antimicrobials can accelerate the process. The new national action plan will commit the UK to reducing its use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antifungals and antivirals.
The commitments outlined in the plan also include strengthening the surveillance of drug-resistant infections before they emerge, supporting low- and middle-income countries to respond to the threat of AMR and incentivising the development of new vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, including alternatives to antimicrobials.
Chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty, said: “Antibiotics are one of the most powerful tools we have against infection. Resistance to these drugs therefore poses a significant threat to the lives of many people in the UK and around the world.”
The initiative is the second of a series of five-year national action plans and builds on progress made towards the UK’s 20-year vision for AMR.
The latest plan could include the expansion of the “world-first subscription model” for antimicrobials, which was launched in 2019 as a pilot and would see more companies being paid a fixed annual fee for antimicrobials based primarily on their value to the NHS, instead of the volumes used.
Health minister Maria Caulfield said: “Our [new] five-year action plan outlines our commitment to leading the way in tackling AMR, including through expanding our world-first subscription model to accelerate research into new treatments.”