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Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship in National Action Plans

  • Antimicrobial Stewardship (AL Pakyz, Section Editor)
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Opinion statement

Tackling Antimicrobial resistance has global focus due to the significant threat resistance poses to human and animal health and its potential impact on the global economy as a result of reduced productivity caused by sickness and higher treatment costs. Therefore, the importance of strengthening health systems ensuring antimicrobial agents are used and accessed appropriately has never been more important. A potential solution to combating antimicrobial resistance globally is implementing comprehensive and sustainably resourced national plans based on a multi-sector approach. In May 2014, the World Health Organisation passed a resolution that reflects global agreement on the huge threat antimicrobial resistance poses to human health; this was followed by publication of a draft global action plan on which all national action plans being developed are expected to be based. The global action plan seeks to preserve and maintain the responsible and accessible use of antimicrobials for all. The main strategic objectives focus on improving the understanding and awareness of antimicrobial resistance, strengthening knowledge via research and surveillance, reducing infection incidence, optimising the use of antimicrobial treatments and countering antimicrobial resistance through sustainable investment. This paper seeks to explore the global adoption and implementation of national action plans and specifically the use of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies to promote the optimal use of antimicrobials.

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References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Directorate of Education and Quality (DEQ), Health Education England, London, UK

    Mohammed Sadak MPharm

  2. Pharmacy Department, Hinchingbrooke NHS Healthcare Trust, Huntingdon, UK

    Emma Cramp MPharm, MScClinPharm

  3. Antimicrobial Resistance Programme, Public Health England, London, UK

    Diane Ashiru-Oredope MPharm, DipClinPharm, PhD

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  1. Mohammed Sadak MPharm
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  2. Emma Cramp MPharm, MScClinPharm
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  3. Diane Ashiru-Oredope MPharm, DipClinPharm, PhD
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Correspondence to Diane Ashiru-Oredope MPharm, DipClinPharm, PhD.

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Mohammed Sadak declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Emma Cramp declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Diane Ashiru-Oredope declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Antimicrobial Stewardship

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Sadak, M., Cramp, E. & Ashiru-Oredope, D. Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship in National Action Plans. Curr Treat Options Infect Dis 8, 57–71 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40506-016-0078-4

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