Brussels, 19/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - On the European Antibiotic Awareness Day, on Wednesday 18 November, the European Commission presented a working paper to be used as a basis for reflection on how to better tackle the growing health problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Each year, about 25,000 patients die in the EU from infections caused by micro-organisms that have developed resistance to antimicrobial medicines. It is also estimated that, every year, AMR costs €1.5 in healthcare expenses and productivity losses. The Commission's document provides an overview of the action already undertaken by the European Union to address the AMR problem. It above all underlines the fact that the Commission has already funded several European projects for monitoring AMR and that Community legislation on food safety and veterinary medicine provides for the use of antimicrobial veterinary products to be prohibited as a specific method to control salmonella in poultry and tuberculosis in cattle. The document points out that the European Commission has invested more than €200 million on AMR over the past 10 years through its framework programmes.
The aim of the document is above all to establish a basis for reflection in order to continue combating AMR. In the area of risk management for human medicine, the Commission welcomes reflections on the adoption of strategy and action plans and the establishment of intersectorial coordinating mechanisms in all member states. As to zoonoses control, reflections are welcome on ways to ensure the prudent use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry and on targeted interventions that would concern rules on the absence of resistant zoonotic agents in food. In terms of monitoring activities in human medicine, the paper notes that thought could be given to the improvement of the surveillance system for AMR and the use of antimicrobials and to improving access to data and information. The paper also deals with communication issues and notes that ideas would be welcome on how to further educate the general public on AMR and on how to improve the awareness, education and training of health professionals in human and veterinary medicine. In a press release, the Commission underlines that the staff working paper does not represent its official position and that the ideas expressed do not prejudge the form and content of any future Commission proposal. The full text of the working paper is available at: http: //ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/salmonella/antimicrobial_resistance.pdf. (O.L./transl.jl)