Antimicrobial resistance — EU action

SUMMARY OF:

Communication (COM(2011 748 final) — Action plan against the rising threats from antimicrobial resistance

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE ACTION PLAN?

It presents a complete approach to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance*. In line with the European Union (EU) ‘One Health’ initiative, this covers areas such as human and veterinary medicine, the keeping of animals, agriculture, trade and the environment. EU ministers gave political approval to a further set of measures in June 2016.

This action plan was replaced by the ‘European One Health Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance’, adopted in 2017 (see the relevant summary).

KEY POINTS

The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) action plan aims to:

make sure antimicrobials are used appropriately in both humans and animals;
prevent microbial infections and their spread;
develop new effective antimicrobials or alternatives for treatment;
cooperate with international partners to contain the risks of AMR;
improve monitoring and surveillance in human and animal medicine;
promote research and innovation;
improve communication, education and training.

The action plan set out 12 specific actions to meet the 7 goals. These ranged from improving the prevention of infections in hospitals to strengthening AMR surveillance systems.

An evaluation of the 2011-2016 action plan, released in February 2016, found that:

monitoring and surveillance activities had greatly improved;
antimicrobials sold for animal use had fallen overall in the EU since 2011;
sales of antibiotics for humans had stabilised;
considerable progress had been made in research and innovation;
the European Commission was supporting national authorities in encouraging good practice in public and animal health services;
legislative proposals on veterinary medicine and medicated feed (2014) and on a new animal health law (published in 2013 and adopted in 2016) should help tackle AMR;
the action plan has served as a symbol of EU political commitment and stimulated actions within EU countries

In June 2016, EU countries gave political approval to a wide-ranging strategy to tackle AMR. This called on:

EU countries to
- have a national anti-AMR action plan in place by mid-2017;
- involve all relevant ministries in its development and implementation;
- set measurable goals to reduce infections in humans and animals;
- raise awareness among consumers, animal-keepers and relevant professionals;
- encourage drug companies to develop new products;
EU countries and the Commission to
- develop a new and comprehensive EU action plan on antimicrobial resistance based on the ‘One Health’ approach;
- act against the illegal trade and use of antimicrobials;
- strengthen cooperation between national authorities, the Commission and other relevant sectors including human and veterinary medicine, food, environmental and research;
- develop EU guidelines on prudent human use of antimicrobials;
- ensure the EU has a common approach in global AMR discussions;
the Commission to
- support EU countries in their efforts;
- report to EU countries once a year on implementation of the AMR action plan.

BACKGROUND

AMR is a natural phenomenon, but excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines on humans and animals, and poor infection controls, have made it a serious worldwide health threat.
AMR has a direct impact on human health and the economy. In the EU, 25,000 people die each year from infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The infections result in extra healthcare costs and productivity losses of at least €1.5 billion annually.

For more information, see:

Action at EU level (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): ability of microorganisms to resist antimicrobial treatment, especially antibiotics.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council — Action plan against the rising threats from Antimicrobial Resistance (COM(2011) 748 final, 15.11.2011)