Evaluation of the EC Action Plan Against the Rising Threats from Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a naturally occurring phenomenon where micro-organisms evolve abilities to survive drugs intended to kill them or stop their growth. The use of antimicrobials can speed up the emergence of AMR, and the challenges AMR brings are now compounded by an increase in resistance and a lack of new antimicrobial agents being developed. To tackle this issue, The European Commission developed the 'Action Plan against the Rising Threats from Antimicrobial Resistance', which covered the period 2011-2016 and aimed to address the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the European level using a holistic approach. The Action Plan addressed the problem of AMR at European level across the following areas: monitoring and surveillance; appropriate use of antimicrobials; infection prevention; development of new antimicrobials, alternative treatments and diagnostic tools; improving understanding of AMR; and reinforcement and coordination of research efforts. The objectives also covered international cooperation and awareness, education and training. The evaluation objectives were to analyse whether the actions set out in the Action Plan were the most appropriate actions to be taken to combat AMR, and which elements worked well or not (and why). The objectives also included assessing whether the objectives were still relevant to the needs in tackling AMR and whether the approach was appropriately holistic.