AMR challenge calls on world to intensify global fights against antibiotic resistance

The United States announced today, during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, The AMR Challenge—the most ambitious global initiative to date to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance (AR or AMR). This unprecedented challenge, led by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), charges pharmaceutical and health insurance companies, food animal producers and purchasers, medical professionals, government health officials, and other leaders from around the world to work together to address antibiotic resistance by:

• Reducing antibiotics and resistance in the environment (e.g. in water and soil);
• Improving antibiotic use, including ensuring people can access these medicines when they are needed;
• Developing new vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic tests;
• Improving infection prevention and control; and
• Enhancing data sharing and data collection.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar will announce the challenge tonight at a U.S. event co-hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the United Nations Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and the CDC Foundation. Secretary Azar will unveil the first commitments from more than 100 organizations intent on building on progress against one of the greatest global public health threats.

Further reading: American Society for Microbiology