Joint GARDP/DNDi statement at 74th World Health Assembly

We thank WHO for the comprehensive report and its support, together with funders and partners, to GARDP to develop new treatments to address drug resistance.

The consequences of COVID-19 should encourage investment and international cooperation to prepare for and address the on-going impacts of antimicrobial resistance. The growth of drug-resistant infections is a silent pandemic. If left unchecked, humanity will be unable to treat common infections like pneumonia, infections in newborns or secondary bacterial infections in viral pandemics. Like COVID-19, drug-resistant bacteria can infect anyone, of any age, in any country. Unlike COVID-19, we can prepare now. The drug-resistant microbes are known, and meaningful change can be achieved with sufficient political will and resources.

Currently, the response is off course.