Antimicrobial resistance: priorities for action

Abstract

Yet another siren sounds a warning on the likely effects on public health unless governments implement controls on the use of antimicrobials (be they antibiotics, or antiviral or antiparasitic agents). The WHO Report on Infectious Diseases 1 is timely and follows many others who exhort all to be prudent with these agents. In the UK, the House of Lords Select Committee Report exhaustively described the problem and suggested the way forward; the EU report did likewise and emphasized the possible contribution of agricultural overuse of antimicrobials. In the US there is currently a bi-partisan senate initiative, with Senators Kennedy and Frist pushing forward the agenda. Recently, the WHO anounced its strategy for controlling resistance.