Table 2.
The ten most urgent priorities for action against the spread of antimicrobial resistance cited by participants of the 4 th WHAI Forum
|
For policy-makers and health authorities: | |
| 1 |
Limit the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals by banning non-therapeutic applications, including growth promotion and metaphylaxis |
| 2 |
Establish and enforce regulations on sales of antimicrobials for use in human medicine, including prohibition of over-the-counter sales worldwide |
| 3 |
Develop a detailed charter on antimicrobial conservation to be ratified and upheld by ministries of health worldwide |
| 4 |
Develop coordinated and culturally sensitive awareness campaigns targeting the general public and imparting the importance of protecting antimicrobials as a limited and non-renewable resource |
| 5 |
Rigorously support the improvement of sanitation systems to eliminate resistant microbes in wastewater; regularly provide education about fundamental practices such as hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection |
| 6 |
Together with the pharmaceutical industry, explore (1) incentives to stimulate research and fast-track development of novel antimicrobials and (2) new economic models that reconcile public health interests with industry profitability |
|
For the human and veterinary healthcare communities: | |
| 7 |
Establish standardized, universal methods and metrics for surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance development, respectively |
| 8 |
In medical and veterinary school curricula, require universal and detailed instruction in microbial resistance development and the prudent use of antimicrobials; for physicians and veterinarians in training, require on-the-job refresher courses |
|
For the general public: | |
| 9 |
Include patients and other antimicrobial consumers in the development and implementation of action plans |
|
For industry: | |
| 10 | Continue to develop and advance point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests to avoid the prescription of antibiotics for viral infections and allow more targeted therapy |