Ensuring a One Health approach to
tackle AMR at the EU level
MEP Interest Group on AMR Annual Meeting
24 October 2023
13:00 - 15:00 CEST
European Parliament
Brussels
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was identified by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 global health threats in 2017. It highlights that if we continue on our current trajectory, we risk entering a pre-antibiotic era, putting at risk the advances of modern medicine. However, tackling AMR is a complex task given the multifaceted nature of the problem and requires a One Health approach. This approach recognises that human health is intertwined with the health of animals and the environment.
The EU plays an important role in taking the One Health approach from theory to practice. It provides guidance to Member States on how to tackle antimicrobial resistance and on policy development, including the forthcoming pharmaceutical legislation.
The MEP Interest Group on AMR, a leading network of 18 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) committed to strengthening action on AMR at EU level, will meet on 24 October. The aim is to discuss how to put the One Health approach into practice and reduce the use of antimicrobial agents that drive the development and spread of AMR.
Join the conversation on how we can tackle the AMR health crisis in the European Union (EU) from a new perspective, explore creative solutions and work together for a healthier future.
Programme
Session 1 – Breaking silos to promote healthy environments
Antibiotics are essential for both human and animal health. However, their overuse can lead to resistance that can spread through the environment. This session will address this issue through a multidisciplinary discussion on how to effectively tackle antimicrobial resistance in the EU using the One Health approach.
- How can we improve communication and collaboration between healthcare, veterinary, and environmental sectors to address the spread of AMR?
- What specific practices in agriculture and healthcare contribute most to the development of AMR, and how can these practices be modified or regulated?
- Are there successful examples of countries or regions effectively implementing the One Health approach to combat AMR? What lessons can be learned from these cases?
- How can we engage and educate the public about the importance of responsible antimicrobial use in both human and animal health sectors?
Session 2 – Reducing antimicrobial overuse upstream: The crucial role of antimicrobial stewardship
Measuring and improving the way antibiotics are prescribed in human and animal health is essential to reducing overall antibiotic use and the risk of accelerating AMR. This expert panel will present and discuss innovative initiatives to improve antimicrobial stewardship and rethink antibiotic use across all sectors in the EU.
- What are the key challenges in implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs across various healthcare and veterinary settings, and how can these challenges be overcome?
- How can policymakers and healthcare institutions incentivize the responsible use of antibiotics in both human and animal healthcare?
- Are there innovative technologies or tools available to reduce AMR in the environment?
- What strategies are effective in educating healthcare providers, veterinarians, and the general public about the risks of antimicrobial overuse?
- Can you share examples of successful initiatives or policies that have led to a reduction in antibiotic use without compromising patient or animal welfare?
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