Calls for global group to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Two leaders in human health have called for the
creation of a global organisation to tackle the growing threat of
antimicrobial resistance.

Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease
epidemiology in the Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution at
the University of Edinburgh, and Jeremy Farrar, director of the global
health charity Wellcome Trust, have written in Nature seeking a
organisation similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“What is required is committed and coordinated action
on the root causes of resistance: the misuse of antimicrobials, the
paucity of development of new drugs and the lack of alternatives,”
they write.

“Guidelines must be implemented to improve the use of existing drugs;
the scientific and business worlds need incentives and a better
regulatory environment to develop new drugs and approaches, and those
working in both the animal and human sectors need education and
incentives to help them to change their ways.” Read more »