Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

What is AMR?

AMR occurs when pathogens evolve and find ways to resist the effects of antimicrobial medicines. The resistant pathogens survive, grow and spread their resistance. The more an antimicrobial is used, the more pressure pathogens have to develop resistance – this process of adaptation leads to AMR.^1,2

Who can be impacted by AMR?

AMR can affect anyone, of any age, in any country. The World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes AMR, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria, as one of the biggest threats to global public health today.¹

What is the global impact of AMR?

Globally, AMR causes 700,000 deaths annually. If no solution is found, the devastating impact is likely to worsen.²

Why should you care about AMR?

References

1. World Health Organization. WHO’s first global report on antibiotic resistance reveals serious, worldwide threat to public health. April 30 2014. 1. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/amr-report/en/Last accessed March 2020.
2. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. Tackling drug-resistant infections globally: final report and recommendations. May 2016. Available at: https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/160525_Final%20paper_with%20cover.pdf Last accessed March 2020.
3. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. Tackling a crisis for the health and wealth of nations. December 2014. Available at: https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/AMR%20Review%20Paper%20%20Tackling%20a%20crisis%20for%20the%20health%20and%20wealth%20of%20nations_1.pdf Last accessed March 2020.
4. Sarda C, Fazal F, Rello J. Management of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria: which is the best strategy to treat? Expert Rev Respir Med. 2019 Aug;13(8):787-798
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Making healthcare safer: protect patients from antibiotic resistance. March 03 2016. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/pdf/2016-03-vitalsigns.pdf Last accessed March 2020.
6. The World Bank. By 2050, drug-resistant infections could cause global economic damage on par with 2008 financial crisis. September 20 2016. Available at: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2016/09/18/by-2050-drug-resistant-infections-could-cause-global-economic-damage-on-par-with-2008-financial-crisis Last accessed March 2020.