Brussels, 13 June 2023
Today the Council has adopted a recommendation aimed at stepping up EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the fields of human health, animal health and the environment.
We cannot afford to ignore the deadly threat that drug-resistant microorganisms pose to human health. Tackling antimicrobial resistance has been a key priority for the Swedish presidency and today’s recommendation provides EU countries with the tools to monitor and reduce antimicrobial consumption.
Jakob Forssmed, Swedish Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health
The recommendation employs a “One Health” approach to AMR, based on the fact that the health of humans, animals and the environment is intrinsically linked and that AMR can only be overcome through joint efforts taken across all three areas.
Overall, the Council’s recommendation seeks to encourage the prudent use of antimicrobials such as antibiotics in human and animal health through a series of voluntary measures, with the aim of reducing the risk that microorganisms will become resistant to medical intervention.
The proposed measures set out in the recommendation include:
- concrete targets to reduce antimicrobial use by 2030, including a 20% reduction in total human consumption of antibiotics and a 50% reduction in overall EU sales of antimicrobials used for farm animals and aquaculture
- strengthening of national action plans to help implement these targets and monitor the use of antibiotics at national level, including indicators to assess progress
- better surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial consumption (AMC) at all levels, including hospitals and long-term care facilities
- efforts to improve the health and welfare of food-producing animals to decrease the spread of infectious diseases in farming
- awareness raising among the public and professionals working in the human health and veterinary sectors, including training for health professionals and communication campaigns
Background
Antimicrobials are medicines that are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. They include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to antimicrobials. As a result, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines are rendered ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or even impossible to treat.
AMR causes more than 35 000 deaths every year in the European Economic Area. If it continues to rise, it could lead to an estimated 10 million deaths globally each year, as well as having a severe impact on the world’s economy.
The Commission published a proposal for a Council recommendation on AMR on 26 April 2023 as part of a package of measures aimed at reforming the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation.
- EU health policy (background information)
- Council recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach
Source – EU Council
European Health Union: EU steps up the fight against antimicrobial resistance
Brussels, 13 June 2023
The Commission welcomes today’s adoption by the Council of the European Union of the Commission’s proposal to strengthen EU action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Announced together with the Commission’s revision of the pharmaceutical legislation on 26 April, the AMR Recommendation helps combat AMR in the fields of human, animal and environmental health, following the so-called One Health approach.
The Recommendation focusses on infection prevention and control, surveillance and monitoring, innovation and availability of efficient antimicrobials, prudent use and cooperation among Member States and globally.
Several EU targets, developed with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), are set for 2030:
- a 20% reduction of the total consumption of antibiotics in humans;
- at least 65% of the total consumption of antibiotics in humans should be effective (use of the right antibiotic);
- a reduction of infections of three key antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which will apply mainly to hospitals.
These recommended targets for the EU, which are also translated for each national level, will help the EU to tackle AMR taking into account national specificities without compromising patients’ health and safety. They will also allow better monitoring of infections and consumption of antibiotics in the coming years and adjust policy making accordingly.
This Recommendation also confirms the EU’s international leadership on AMR and calls on the Commission and the Member States to cover AMR in the pandemic agreement currently under negotiation. It also invited to keep AMR high on the agenda of the G7 and G20.
Background
Antimicrobials are crucial medicines. However, over the years, their overuse and misuse have led to increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), meaning that antimicrobials lose their effectiveness, and it becomes more difficult, if not impossible, to treat infections. Therefore, the Commission included in the pharmaceutical package in April a proposal for a Council Recommendation containing complementary measures. The revision of the EU pharmaceutical legislation indeed also aims to boost the development of innovative novel antimicrobials, as well as ensuring their prudent use and lower their impact on the environment.
For more information
Council Recommendation on antimicrobial resistance
Q&A Antimicrobial Resistance (europa.eu)