The UK National Audit Office has issued a report that highlights the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threat and the progress that the UK Government has made in addressing the issue.
The report, ‘Investigation into how government is addressing antimicrobial resistance’, says that AMR is a serious threat globally and to the UK and, if not addressed, the consequences for health, life expectancy, the functioning of the NHS and the wider economy will be huge. However, the AMR National Action Plan 2019-2024, has made limited progress.
Government is taking the problem seriously, with AMR identified as one of 26 chronic national risks. But, despite a 20-year vision, a cross-government approach, and some innovative solutions, including subscription arrangements for procuring antibiotics, the report finds that the UK remains a long way from the vision and objectives the government expressed in 2019: a lower burden of infection; the optimal use of antimicrobials; and new treatments so that everyday illnesses can continue to be cured.
Of five domestic targets set in 2019, only one – reducing the use of antibiotics in food producing animals – was met. Drug-resistant infections in humans have increased by 13% since 2018, despite a target to reduce them by 10%.
Antimicrobial resistance presents a major public health threat and addressing it is a multifaceted challenge. Government is responding but, so far, the results have been limited and the country needs to become more resilient to this long-term risk. Government needs to consider whether its existing commitments and other efforts across the public sector will be enough to achieve its 20-year vision to contain and control AMR.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO
