Press releases

Brussels, 21 June 2001

Commission proposals to combat anti-microbial resistance

The European Commission has adopted a Communication setting out a Community Strategy to combat the threat to human, animal and plant health posed by anti-microbial resistance. It also adopted a proposal for a Council Recommendation on the prudent use of anti-microbial agents in human medicine. The Recommendation encourages national governments to take measures to contain the spread of anti-microbial resistance by encouraging a more prudent use of such agents. This includes informing and awareness raising of the general public, a precautionary "by prescription only" approach and improved monitoring of the consumption of anti-microbial agents. The proposed Recommendation represents the first attempt at Community level to take action relative to human medicine and completes the various actions under way with respect to veterinary and phytosanitary uses of anti-microbial drugs. The Strategy gives a comprehensive overview of the ongoing actions with respect to surveillance, prevention, research and product development and international cooperation. The Göteborg European Council conclusions underlined again the need for action to tackle the issue.

"The use of anti-microbial drugs has greatly contributed to improvements in health", said David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection. "However, in addition to their benefits, their use has also resulted in the development of resistance in certain viruses and bacteria, causing prolonged suffering in patients and increasing costs for health care and society. We need to act at the level of veterinary, phytosanitary and human medicine to contain this growing public health problem. In human medicine, the overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics especially in children with respiratory infections is a major concern. But we know from experiences in Scandinavian countries that that consumption of antibiotics can be reduced, and thus contribute to slowing down the progress of resistance. What the Commission proposes is that national authorities take action to mobilise patients and parents, doctors and caretakers, as well as putting the necessary rules in place to avoid any overuse of antibiotics in human medicine. In addition, the strategy sets out the full range of actions under way in the veterinary and phytosantiary field because in this is battle we are fighting on many fronts."

The term anti-microbial agent is used to refer to any substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of micro-organism, including antibiotics and other antibacterials, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitical agents. They have been used for decades to treat communicable diseases and prevent infections. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance has become a major public health problem, within the Community and world-wide. Overuse and misuse of anti-microbial agents have favoured the growth of resistant organisms. This so-called "anti-microbial resistance" can spread to other microbial populations. Infectious diseases that have become resistant to standard anti-microbial treatment present a threat to human and animal health.

The EU Scientific Steering Committee recommended in May 1999 to take action to reduce the overall use of anti-microbial agents in a balanced way in all areas: human medicine, veterinary medicine, animal production and plant protection. European Health Councils also asked the Commission to come forward with an initiative with respect to antibiotics use in human medicine. The Community Strategy outlines a series of ongoing and upcoming EU actions at different levels: support for awareness raising amongst doctors, vets, farmers, and patients, "prescription only" use in all sectors including agriculture, surveillance of resistance against certain anti-microbial agents and the consumption of these agents, monitoring and reporting on residues in food, phasing out of all uses as growth promotors in feed and as markers in genetically modified organisms, review existing uses as food additives. In addition research and development of new antimicrobials and of alternative treatments and vaccines is being encouraged. International cooperation in efforts to combat anti-microbial resistance in international fora such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), and in particular with candidate countries as well as developing countries is to be reinforced.

Released on 22/06/2001

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