U.S. and European Experts Applaud Creation of New Transatlantic Task Force on
Global Antibiotic Resistance Threat
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Experts on both sides of the
Atlantic applaud President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik
Reinfeldt, representing the European Union (EU) Presidency, for establishing a
transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance, an urgent and
growing problem that threatens patient safety and public health worldwide.
During a summit held this week in Washington, D.C., President Obama and Prime
Minister Reinfeldt joined forces to address the urgency of the problem and the
need for solutions by signing an international agreement that seeks
cooperative ways in which the United States and EU countries can help combat
the global health crisis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antimicrobial resistance as
one of the three greatest threats to human health. Antimicrobial drugs are
used around the world to fight viral diseases, like 2009 H1N1 influenza;
bacterial infections, like Staphylococcus aureus and tuberculosis; parasitic
infections, like malaria; and fungal infections. Many of these pathogens are
becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobials.
"Antimicrobial resistance and the lack of new antimicrobial agents to
effectively treat resistant infections are problems that no country can deal
with alone -- they threaten the very foundation of medical care," said Richard
Whitley, MD, FIDSA, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
(IDSA). "Without effective antimicrobial drugs, modern medical treatments such
as operations, transplants, intensive care, cancer treatment and care of
premature babies will become very risky if not impossible." Dr. Whitley joined
with Javier Garau, MD, president of European Society of Clinical Microbiology
and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and Shelley A. Hearne, managing director of
the Pew Health Group in welcoming the multi-country initiative.
"We are thrilled to see the United States and European Union take this
important first step to control the spread of serious and life-threatening
antimicrobial resistant organisms and to advance the development of
much-needed antimicrobial drugs," said Dr. Garau. "Clinicians, scientists,
public health experts, veterinarians, economists and health policy experts all
have critical roles to play in ensuring the success of this cooperative
effort, which will benefit people around the world.
The task force will begin its work by identifying and agreeing on important
issues related to antimicrobial resistance, in areas including the appropriate
use of antimicrobial drugs in medical and veterinary communities, prevention
of both health care and community-associated drug-resistant infections, and
strategies for improving the antimicrobial drug pipeline. The task force also
will produce concrete action plans that build on international cooperation and
provide regular reports on the initiative's progress.
"Antibiotic resistant bacteria respect no political borders, so we must work
together to combat them," Dr. Hearne said. "Resistance takes a terrible toll
on health worldwide and is measured in lives lost, greater suffering and
higher health care costs. One way that U.S. leaders can demonstrate their
commitment to solving this issue is by immediately joining the EU in banning
non-judicious antibiotic uses in food animal production."
Drug-resistant infections kill tens of thousands of people in the United
States each year. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) alone
infects more than 94,000 people and kills nearly 19,000 Americans every year,
more deaths than caused by emphysema, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, and
homicide. A new interactive map on IDSA's website describes in detail the
local impact of these and other resistant infections across the nation with
detailed U.S. state-specific information.
Two recent European reports, similar to IDSA's 2004 "Bad Bugs, No Drugs"
report, describe the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in Europe and
highlight possible strategies to stimulate the development of new drugs.
Approximately 25,000 people die each year in Europe from just five resistant
infections analyzed in one report, drafted by the European Center for Disease
Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). The
other major report, from the London School of Economics and Political Science,
outlines possible policy options and incentives to kick start research and
development into new antimicrobial drugs and diagnostics. Both reports are
available at:
http://www.se2009.eu/en/meetings_news/2009/9/17/conference_innovative_incentives_for_effective_antibacterials
"The next step forward must be to bring together an interdisciplinary group of
experts from the scientific, medical, public health and economic communities
to establish international priorities and develop a joint plan for action,"
Dr. Whitley said. "By exchanging best practices and sharing experiences from
both continents, together we can begin developing a global solution to address
this dangerous worldwide threat."
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is an organization of
physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals dedicated to
promoting health through excellence in infectious diseases research,
education, patient care, prevention and public health. The Society, which has
more than 8,600 members, was founded in 1963 and is based in Arlington, Va.
For more information, see www.idsociety.org.
The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID)
is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of infection-related diseases. This is achieved by
promoting and supporting research, education, training, and good medical
practice. For more information, seewww.escmid.org.
The Pew Health Group is the health and consumer product safety arm of The Pew
Charitable Trusts, a nonprofit organization that applies a rigorous,
analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate
civic life. www.pewtrusts.org/health.
SOURCE Pew Health Group
John Heys of Infectious Diseases Society of America, +1-703-299-0412,
jheys@idsociety.org
