Department of Health and Social Care: Confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029 (8 May 2024)

Summary

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, and other microorganisms, develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, making them less responsive or unresponsive to treatment. This National Action Plan sets out how the UK will reduce its use of antimicrobials in humans and animals, strengthen surveillance of drug resistant infections before they emerge and incentivise industry to develop the next generation of treatments.

Content

This plan supports the UK Government’s 20-year vision to contain and control AMR by 2040. It builds on the progress made in the previous 5-year National Action Plan and lessons learned from Covid-19 and sets ambitious targets to drive down inappropriate use of antibiotics and stimulate further development of new drugs and vaccines.

The plan has nine strategic outcomes organised under four themes:

1. Reducing the need for, and unintentional exposure to, antimicrobials – this includes activity to prevent infections arising in the first place (through good infection prevention and control, including vaccination), to monitor the emergence and spread of AMR through strengthened surveillance, and to minimise release of antimicrobials and resistance into the environment.
2. Optimising the use of antimicrobials – through ensuring antimicrobials are only used when needed in humans, animals, and the environment.
3. Investing in innovation, supply and access – by supporting and incentivising the development of new vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics (including alternatives to antimicrobials), making them accessible to those who need them, and ensuring our work on AMR is informed by cutting edge research.
4. Being a good global partner – maintaining the UK’s role as an international leader on AMR and supporting low- and middle-income countries to respond to the threat of AMR through research, good supply chains and access to antibiotics.

Related reading

You can find a number of different resources shared with us by hub members and patient safety advocates providing valuable insights and practical guidance about AMR here.