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Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined as the ability of a microorganism to resist the action of one or more antimicrobial agents or antibiotics. Misuse and abuse of antibiotics worldwide has eroded their efficacy and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are rapidly spreading across the globe. Due to the complexity of the problem, its cross-border character and the high societal cost of antimicrobial resistance, it has become a global public health concern that requires urgent and coordinated action across sectors. Infection prevention measures, control programmes and diagnostic technologies all play a key role in tackling antimicrobial resistance.

HFE believes that a multi-level, multi-sector, and collaborative approach is necessary to effectively tackle such a public health emergency.

Therefore, we are part of:

EU Joint Action on AMR and Healthcare-Associated Infections (EU-JAMRAI) which brings together 44 partners from 28 countries and more than 30 stakeholders. EU-JAMRAI mission is fostering synergies among EU member States developing and implementing effective One Health policies to fight the rising threat of AMR and reduce HAI. Visit the website here.

 

AMR Stakeholder Network brings together 80 leading organisations and individuals committed to tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at national, regional and European level, covering all dimensions of the ‘One Health’ approach. Together we call for immediate action and commitment from EU and national policy-makers to tackle the AMR public health crisis. Visit the website here.

More about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

The AMR Patient Group contributes to the European Commission's Call for Evidence on Antimicrobial Resistance
2022

In February 2022, the European Commission launched a Call for Evidence for their upcoming Recommendation to Member States for greater action on Antimicrobial Resistance. Here is our contribution.

PRESS RELEASE: Launch of a new group of MEP Ambassadors of the AMR Patient Group
2022

HFE together with the members of the European Patient Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR Patient Group) are delighted to announce the creation of a new group of Members of the European Parliament (MEP) who have agreed to become the new MEP Ambassadors of the AMR Patient Group.

A community-based survey of the general public’s knowledge, behaviour and awareness related to antimicrobial resistance
2021 || News

The European AMR Patient Group invites you to fill in the pan-European survey to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health-associated infections (HAIs) among 5 European countries, namely Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the UK.

EDITORIAL: European AMR Patient Group Scales up Education and Outreach on Antimicrobial Resistance
2021 || Editorial, News

Patient safety is an essential metric when it comes to building resilient public healthcare systems both at the European and global level. It is also indispensable in the provision of health care in all settings including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

EVENT SUMMARY: Virtual roundtable – Preventing infections in the surgical care pathway to tackle antimicrobial resistance
2020 || Event summary

Read the event summary of our virtual roundtable entitled “Preventing infections in the surgical care pathway to tackle antimicrobial resistance”.

PRESS RELEASE: Launch of HFE Insight Report ”Identifying the gaps between evidence and practice in the prevention of surgical site infections”
2020 || Press release

Health First Europe today launches a new Insight Report titled ”Identifying the gaps between evidence and practice in the prevention of surgical site infections”

EVENT SUMMARY: EU health stakeholders at the Gastein Forum call for a strong political commitment for safer care to tackle HAIs and AMR
2019 || Event summary

On 2nd October 2019, Health First Europe organised the “Data for safer care” workshop at the European Health Forum Gastein to explore the disruptive role of data in shaping effective patient safety strategies and develop effective healthcare-associated infections’ (HAIs) surveillance systems.

EVENT SUMMARY: ENSH Roundtable on patterns to tackle AMR - Designing effective HAI prevention and control programmes in Europe
2019 || Event summary

The 2nd roundtable debate of the European Network for Safer Healthcare was organised by Health First Europe in the European Parliament on 29 January 2019, with the support of MEP José Inácio Faria (EPP, Portugal) and MEP Lieve Wierinck (ALDE, Belgium),.

EVENT SUMMARY: Innovation in diagnostics for tackling Antimicrobial Resistance
2017 || Event summary

On 31st May 2017, policymakers and health representatives met within the framework of the European Parliamentary Interest Group on Innovation on health and social care to spur debate on innovative diagnostic solutions necessary to manage and fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Europe.

EVENT SUMMARY: Tackling AMR and HAIs to improve patient safety
2016 || Event summary

On 17th November 2016, in conjunction with the World Antibiotic Awareness Week, policy makers and health stakeholders met within the framework of the EP Interest Group on Innovation on health and social care to discuss how to tackle the global threat of antimicrobial resistance to improve patient safety.

EVENT SUMMARY: Antimicrobial resistance - Prevention and not just treatment
2015 || Event summary

During World Antiobiotic Awareness Week, experts from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the University of Antwerp, all conveyed the clear message that antimicrobial resistance is a growing global problem with severe consequences for all of us if we do not act now.

EDITORIAL: Resisting unnecessary use of antibiotics
2015 || Editorial

Editorial by HFE President John Bowis: Anti-microbial resistance is a global health threat to health care systems’ ability to cope with infections effectively. A global report published by the WHO in 2014, revealed to the world that antibiotic resistance (the most common form of anti-microbial resistance) was putting all of us at risk and needed to be dealt with now.

NEWS: Social Affairs Council of the EU adopts conclusions on antimicrobial resistance
2008 || News

At its meeting on 9 and 10 June the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of the European Union (EPSCO) adopted conclusions on antimicrobial resistance. The Council shows a high awareness for the problem of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and calls on the European Commission and EU Member States to take further actions in this policy field.

First Workshop of the AMR Patient Group
2020

Health First Europe is organising the first workshop of the newly created AMR Patient Group which will take place on Wednesday 16 December 2020 from 10:00 to 12:30 CET via RingCentral.

EVENT: Patterns to tackle AMR - Designing effective HAI prevention and control programmes in Europe
2019

Patient safety and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have become major public health concerns at both European and national level. The roundtable aims at engaging policymakers and relevant representatives in a dynamic debate on patient safety and HAIs.

EVENT: Innovation in diagnostics for fighting AMR
2017

On 31 May 2017, policymakers and health representatives met within the framework of the European Parliamentary Interest Group on Innovation on health and social care to spur debate on innovative diagnostic solutions necessary to manage and fight AMR in Europe.

EVENT: Innovative Health Systems Reform - Tackling AMR and HAIs to improve patient safety
2016

AMR is a growing global threat and a significant societal and economic challenge. The cost of inaction is projected to result in 10 million deaths globally per year and a cumulative loss of over EUR 88 trillion to the world economy by 2050.

EVENT: Antimicrobial Resistance - Prevention and not just treatment
2015

Over 25,000 patients die annually in the EU as a result of infections caused by resistant bacteria. The European Parliament, the World Health Organization and the European Commission have all recognised that antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health threat.

PUBLICATION: New Insight Report on The Compelling Case for Better Screening and Secondary Prevention in Europe
2021

Health First Europe is delighted to announce the launch of its newest report “The Compelling Case for Better Screening and Patient Safety in Europe: The Example of Five Common Diseases”.

INSIGHT REPORT: Identifying the gaps between evidence and practice in the prevention of SSIs
2020

Health First Europe new Insight Report on infection prevention showing a striking gaps between evidence-based measures to prevent Surgical Site Infections and medical practices in European hospitals.

PUBLICATION: White Paper on rapid diagnostic technologies to tackle AMR
2017

The White Paper aims to be an informative tool for policymakers and healthcare stakeholders to understand and raise awareness on the potential of rapid diagnostic innovations to support the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.

PUBLICATION: HFE Recommendations on tackling AMR and HAIs to improve patient safety
2016

AMR is a growing global threat and a significant societal and economic challenge. The cost of inaction is projected to result in 10 million deaths globally per year and a cumulative loss of over EUR 88 trillion to the world economy by 2050.