Member States need to act on antibiotic resistance

Brussels, 23/05/2014 - Health Care Without Harm joined over 20 civil society organisations and stakeholders from multiple sectors in signing a declaration[1] at the 67th World Health Assembly in Geneva to call on the WHO Member States to pass a critical resolution[2] needed to control antibiotic resistance.

The Antibiotic Resistance Coalition[3] was formed as a response to the potentially catastrophic issue of antimicrobial resistance – and particularly antibiotic resistance. Public Health experts estimate that the threat from drug-resistant infections is increasing dramatically and consequences are already apparent.

Figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and European Medicines Agency estimate that in the EU, antimicrobial resistance causes 25,000 deaths and costs EUR 1.5 billion in healthcare costs and productivity loss per year[4]

“A global response is needed immediately. It’s high time all European countries intensify concrete measures to reduce antimicrobial resistance,” said Anja Leetz, Director HCWH Europe. “Improving prescription practices for both human and veterinary medicine to reduce and prevent overuse and misuse of antibiotics is crucial to avoid this imminent threat to both public health and the environment.”

 

Media enquiries may be directed to:

Anja Leetz

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH Europe)

Brussels, Belgium

T: +49 152 5397 8103

E: anja.leetz@hcwh.org


[1] http://www.reactgroup.org/uploads/ARC-declaration/ARC-declaration-May-22-2014.pdf

[2] http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB134/B134_R13-en.pdf

[3] http://www.reactgroup.org

[4] http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/docs/communication_amr_2011_748_en.pdf