U.S., EU Join Forces to Fight Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem in the United States and around the world.  New forms of resistance can easily cross international borders at the speed of jet travel.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and The European Commission (EC) established the Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance (TATFAR) in 2009 to improve international collaboration. TATFAR’s first progress report, released today, summarizes advancements during its first implementation period, 2011 to 2013. 

In the U.S. and in the E.U., significant progress in reducing specific types of infections has been made.  However, the global problem of antibiotic resistance continues to escalate. Therefore, the original mandate of the taskforce that ran through 2013 has been extended for at least two additional years.
Advancing domestic efforts to combat antibiotic resistance, the FY 2015 President’s Budget requests $30 million for the Detect and Protect Against Antibiotic Resistance Initiative (known as the AR Initiative). 

The AR Initiative is part of a broader CDC strategy to target investment and achieve measureable results through improving detection, preventing infections, and enhancing antibiotic stewardship. Results from this funding will enhance collaboration between the U.S. and E.U., and future partners as they work together to fight the global threat of antibiotic resistance.

Source: CDC