European Commission adopts its second action plan against antimicrobial resistance

The action plan takes a One Health approach and addresses AMR in bacteria from humans, animals and in the environment.

With the new action plan, which builds on a previous action plan published in 2011 and taking into account the recommendations of its evaluation, the European Commission will enhance its support to EU Member States to deliver innovative, effective and sustainable responses to AMR, focusing on measurable and concrete outcomes. The specific actions included in the plan build on three main pillars:

1. Making the EU a best practice region: there are significant differences between EU countries in the extent to which effective national policies dealing with AMR have been implemented; the Commission aims to support all EU Member States to raise their level to that of the highest performing countries.
2. Boosting research, development and innovation: actions in this pillar aim to provide valuable input for science-based policies and legal measures to combat AMR, and to address knowledge gaps.
3. Shaping the global agenda: the aim is to promote EU research efforts and initiatives on AMR on an international level.

In parallel, the European Commission is launching EU guidelines on the prudent use of antimicrobials in human health. These guidelines are based on a proposals prepared by ECDC with input from EU Member States experts and stakeholders.

ECDC Director, Dr. Andrea Ammon, said: “ECDC welcomes this renewed effort to tackle the increasing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance and highlights once more its commitment to support both the European Commission and the EU Member States in their initiatives to address this issue”. She added: “It’s not too late to turn the tide on antimicrobial resistance, but we need to make sure that we act now”.