'Written Evidence' concerning 'UK Five Year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2013-2018' to the Select Committee on Science and Technology, House of Commons, UK Parliament

Executive Summary

1.1 The UK Five Year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2013-2018 is comprehensive with respect to the lack of boundaries of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Successful implementation will require a global perspective as outlined within the strategy.

1.2 The three Strategic Aims and seven Key Areas for Future Action are comprehensive and plausible. No recommendations for alterations have been suggested

1.3 Projections based up on historical levels of AMR research funding
suggest that the academic research component of the strategy is not feasible. We propose significant increases in AMR-specific funding from the UK government.

1.4 A carefully planned and more thorough public programme focused on the imminent threat posed by AMR should be implemented to raise awareness among the general public and health professionals. In addition, this public
programme should include a component that brings the challenge of AMR to the forefront of the attention of researchers and students within science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.