First independent framework for assessing pharma company action on AMR

In the coming months, the Foundation will use this framework to map pharmaceutical companies’ antimicrobial R&D activities, their strategies for responsible manufacturing and production, and their antimicrobial stewardship and access plans. Thirty companies are in scope, representing a cross-section of the pharmaceutical industry, including multinational research-based pharmaceutical companies, generic medicine manufacturers and clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies with antimicrobial pipelines. The results will be published in the Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark Report in early 2018, funded by UK AID and the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

“Mapping company action on AMR, helps to identify opportunities for more collective, multi-sectorial action.” says Jayasree K. Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation. “Illustrating what works, where and why can radically catalyse progress in tackling AMR.”

The rise of AMR as a global issue

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when a medicine is no longer effective against a virus, bacterium or other pathogen. In recent decades, AMR has become widespread globally. Without effective antimicrobials, particularly antibiotics, infections will become more difficult to treat. Medical and surgical procedures in hospitals could also become less safe, with an increased risk of prolonged sickness, disability and death.

The emergence of AMR is accelerated by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. Efforts to curb it must include plans to ensure these medicines are used appropriately and only when needed. At the same time, millions of people, particularly in poor countries, do not have access to the antimicrobial medicines they need. Both issues must be tackled together in order to curb AMR.

The past year has seen a surge of commitments to addressing AMR, including from governments, public health authorities, international health organisations, and academic institutions. AMR has topped the agendas at G7 and G20 Summits, the World Health Assembly and World Economic Forum. Numerous pharmaceutical companies have publicly pledged to take action, signing the Davos Declaration by the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Diagnostics Industries on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance, followed by the Industry Roadmap for Progress on Combating AMR.

The Foundation has developed the Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark to identify and publicly recognise those companies that are taking the right actions and to enable their peers to adopt innovative approaches and good practices. It will also uncover hurdles to deeper company engagement in global efforts to limit AMR.

Read more on the Access to Medicine Foundation

Image graph source Access to Medicine Foundation