TO BE PUBLISHED February 2025
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This conference will assess priorities and next steps for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policy and research.
Delegates will examine commitments outlined in the Confronting antimicrobial resistance: 2024 to 2029 policy paper published in May, as well as priorities for delivering key ambitions set out in the plan. Areas for discussion include increasing public and health workforce knowledge of AMR, reducing antibiotic use in humans by 5% from the 2019 baseline, and preventing an increase in specified drug resistant human infections from the 2019-20 baseline.
Those attending will look at approaches to prevention, early detection and diagnostics, including the use of Whole Genome Sequencing and AI. Sessions in the agenda will assess priorities for data-led surveillance, treatment delivery, and strengthening infection prevention and control measures.
We expect the morning to bring out priorities for pharmaceutical innovation, and the MHRA’s guidance for new antimicrobials and therapies. There will be a focus on the UK’s position as a global leader of antimicrobial research following the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting, which urged all nations to take a One Health approach, and move to a sustainable use of antibiotics and build stronger international relationships, especially with the Global South.
Discussion will look at priorities for improving AMR stewardship within the NHS, as well as diagnostics and prevention ahead of the publication of the 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS, looking at strengthening infection, prevention and control (IPC) measures. The role of integrated care systems in fostering collaboration between the NHS and local government in prescribing antibiotics, patient awareness, and tackling health inequalities will also be considered.
Further sessions discuss the way forward for NHS England’s recently launched subscription model, aiming to incentivise pharmaceutical industries to develop new AMR drugs with a £20m flat fee, including addressing issues raised by stakeholders on accessibility for SMEs and the banding criteria.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- incentivising research: assessing NHS England’s subscription model and its potential effectiveness in incentivising the pharmaceutical industry to develop new AMR drugs - alternative options - addressing stakeholder concerns, including accessibility for SMEs, flexibility of the banding and attainability of top-level criteria
- regulation: priorities for guidance and regulation following MHRA’s call for input - informing quality, safety and efficacy - keeping pace with innovation in bacteriophages, other therapies and new antimicrobials
- treatment delivery: assessing emerging models of care such as virtual wards and Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs - priorities for improving data and information sharing for treatment delivery
- stewardship: next steps for reducing human exposure to antimicrobials - supporting decision-making in the health and social care sector - collaboration across sectors, and with clinicians and patients
- AMR stewardship: NHS and veterinary workforce support and engagement on antimicrobial prescription - strengthening IPC measures - improving public messaging on AMR - stewardship within ICSs
- latest developments in UK AMR research: including causes, spreads and treatment effectiveness
- diagnosis and surveillance: unlocking the potential of whole genome sequencing - priorities for AI and innovation in improving early diagnosis, surveillance and control - alternatives to culture-based approaches
- optimising surveillance: assessing strategies including the use of waste water surveillance technology - improving data sharing across organisational boundaries
- global stewardship: opportunities for the UK to consolidate leadership and influence in AMR research - key outcomes from the UN High Level Meeting - encouraging other developed countries to adopt subscription schemes - producing and using antimicrobials sustainably - cross-sector engagement with grassroots, local, national and international partners
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from DHSC; DoH, NI; MHRA; DSIT; Defra; DBT; FSS; NAO; FCDO; DAERA, NI; DoH, ROI; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
