EU Action on Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – the ability of microorganisms to resist antimicrobial treatments, especially antibiotics – has a direct impact on human and animal health and carries a heavy economic burden due to higher costs of treatments and reduced productivity caused by sickness. AMR is responsible for an estimated 33,000 deaths per year in the EU. It is also estimated that AMR costs the EU EUR 1.5 billion per year in healthcare costs and productivity losses. In June 2017 the Commission adopted the EU One Health Action Plan against AMR as requested by the Member States in the Council conclusions of 17 June 2016. It builds on the 2011 action plan (see below), its evaluation, the feedback received on a European Commission Roadmap on AMR and an open public consultation. The key objectives of this new plan are built on three main pillars: 1. Making the EU a best practice region 2. Boosting research, development and innovation 3. Shaping the global agenda The Commission has also adopted the first deliverables of the plan, for example the EU Guidelines on the prudent use of antimicrobials in human health (all languages available). The guidelines aim to reduce inappropriate use and promote prudent use of antimicrobials in people. They target all actors who are responsible for or play a role in antimicrobial use.