EU strategy to combat resistance

Concerned over the rapidly worsening global health care crisis caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria and the lack of robust drug pipelines, several multinational campaigns have issued policy recommendations and have initiated broad discussion with a goal of stimulating the development of novel antibacterial drugs and technologies. These activities have resulted in intensified cooperation between the US and the EU. The recently announced extensive “Action plan against the rising threats from antimicrobial resistance” substantially ramps up action within the EU. The European Commission decided on an unprecedented approach to drive the search for novel antibiotics by integrating the pharmaceutical industry, the research capacities of universities and small companies supported by public funding along with pricing/reimbursement and regulatory bodies. The European Commission has shown leadership and put action plans in place. Only the future will tell if these initiatives will help curb the impact of the multi-drug resistance pandemic.