Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been declared as one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity by the World Health Organisation. The G7 identifies AMR as a major threat, on a par with pandemic infections such as Covid-19 and climate change, and the UK National Security Risk Assessment 2022 identifies AMR as a chronic risk.
Wales remains committed to achieving the goals of the UK 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance and the five-year ambitions in the UK five-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024 to combat AMR, through lowering the burden of infections, improving treatments and optimising our use of antimicrobials in humans.
It is important we continue to work to achieve the aims of the UK action plan and I am pleased we are working across the four nations to develop a new UK five-year national plan.
As part of the existing plan, the UK Government committed to work with industry bodies to see how the UK can lead the world in developing new ways of purchasing antimicrobials that will encourage industry to continue to invest in their development.
We are working with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and NHS England on the novel antibiotic purchasing project. It is crucial we incentivise pharmaceutical manufacturers to prioritise the development of antimicrobial medicines in the future and I am pleased Wales will play its part in supporting this fundamental commitment.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.