New five-year plan against AMR announced
The next five-year plan will run from 2024 to 2029.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched the second stage of its five-year plan, as it seeks to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 2040.
The latest National Action Plan (NAP) seeks to build upon work completed as part of the previous five-year plan, and sets new ambitious targets for reducing antibiotic use.
New commitments will see the UK, including the veterinary sector, challenged to reduce its usage of antimicrobials in humans and animals. It also calls for tighter surveillance of drug resistant infections, and more incentive for industries to develop new treatments.
The five-year plan, which will run from 2024 to 2029, covers nine strategic outcomes organised into four themes.
Firstly, the NAP intends to reduce the necessity of, and unintentional exposure to, antimicrobials. To achieve this, work will focus on preventing infections, monitoring their emergence and spread, and minimising their release into the environment.
The efficacy of existing microbials will be protected by optimising their use, ensuring that they are only used when needed.
Innovation, supply and access is set to be encouraged, as the government seeks to find new vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. Manufacturers will be incentivised to make them accessible to those who need them, and to ensure their work is founded in AMR research.
Finally the UK will look to remain an international leader in AMR, supporting low- and middle-income countries as they also challenge AMR.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said: “The UK has made fantastic progress in the past 10 years to reduce AMR in animals, working between government, farming industry, vets, and animal keepers to reduce the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals by more than half.
“The new National Action Plan will build upon these achievements, and I urge vets and animal keepers to continue to support the UK’s 20-year vision to contain and control AMR.”
The Responsible use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance has also welcomed the next stage of the plan.
RUMA chair Cat McLaughlin said: “RUMA is very pleased to see the launch of the second five-year National Action Plan today which further supports and drives UK efforts to tackle AMR from a One Health perspective.
“In the UK, the responsible use of medicines across UK farming is already part of everyday language, with farmers and vets working collaboratively to embed best practice for responsible use and reductions across all sectors.”
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
