European Commission Public Consultation On Plan To Fight Antimicrobial Resistance

By Kim Treanor for Intellectual Property Watch

The European Commission has launched a call for comments on its proposed plan to help EU members fight antimicrobial resistance.

In mid-2017, the European Commission is launching a Commission Communication on a One Health Action Plan to support Member States in the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The communication will be directed towards European Parliament and European Council. Public consultation from any citizens or organisations is welcome through 28 April, and is available through a questionnaire assessing the opinions of individuals on activities related to the European Commission’s action plan, according to a Commission announcement.

The road map for the action plan is a continuation of the 2011-2016 plan, and aims to support member states in establishing national plans to fight AMR, to increase innovation and research, and to strengthen the EU’s role within the United Nations and other global institutions.

The Commission looks to develop national action plans to tackle AMR resistance in both human and veterinary medicine, increase awareness of AMR, and strengthen the regulatory process. The Commission also seeks to use EU funding and collaborative efforts across the EU to research new medicines, while researching new economic models for incentivising AMR research. The EU seeks to then promote these actions as best-practice in international organisations and with trading partners.

Kim Treanor is an intern at Intellectual Property Watch and a student in the graduate program of International Affairs at the New School in New York, where she studies development, trade and public health.