Table 2. Implementation status of select core elements of national AMS programs in 20 countries in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2020*.

Activities	Countries, no. (%)
National core elements, national plans, and strategies
Dedicated funding for AMR and AMS activities	1/20 (5)
Establishment of AMS technical working group with defined terms of references	4/20 (20)
Development of AMS implementation plan with short-, medium-, and long-term goals	1/20 (5)
Regulations and guidelines
Presence of national Essential Medicines List	13/20 (65)
National EML adopts AWaRe classification	2/13 (15.5)
Development of updated treatment guidelines for common infections	5/20 (25)
Existing treatment guidelines integrate the AWaRe classification	1/5 (20)
Presence of prescription only sale policy for antimicrobial drugs	10/20 (50)
Enforcement of prescription only sale policy for antimicrobial drugs	5/10 (50)
Awareness, training, and education
In-service training for AMS teams on AMS and antimicrobial drug prescribing	0/20
In-service training for healthcare professionals on AMS and antimicrobial drug prescribing	2/20 (10)
AMS criteria for hospitals accreditation, set by ministry of health	4/20 (20)

*AMR, antimicrobial resistance; AMS, antimicrobial stewardship; AWaRe, Access, Watch, or Reserve.