27 June 2018

Experts gather to discuss proposals for 2020 Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark

On 2 July 2018, the Foundation's Expert Committee will meet in Amsterdam to discuss methodology proposals for the next Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark. 

The proposals on the agenda relate to reaffirming the rigour of the Benchmark methodology, while facilitating trend analysis between Benchmarks. For example, Committee members will explore the role of generic medicine manufacturers in AMR surveillance with the Foundation’s Research Team, as well as new ways of measuring how companies ensure they meet manufacturing quality requirements. We are also looking at new ways to credit companies that target the most resistant pathogens where new treatments are urgently needed.

“It’s fantastic to be bringing this team of experts together in Amsterdam to talk about the Benchmark. With such a variety of viewpoints around the table, I’m looking forward to a day of rich discussions about the priorities for pharma company action on AMR.”—  Gabrielle Breugelmans, Director of Research at the Access to Medicine Foundation.

Pooling expert perspectives on AMR
The role of the Expert Committee is to provide independent strategic guidance during the methodology development process. In 2018, the EC is made up of ten independent experts, including from World Health Organization (WHO), top-level academic centres, governments in low- and middle-income countries, investors and pharmaceutical industry representatives. They each bring to the table an essential perspective on pharmaceutical company activity regarding access to medicine and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Committee is Chaired by Professor Hans Hogerzeil (University of Groningen).

In 2018, the Foundation welcomes three new members:

They join six current members of the Committee:

The Benchmark Research Team has developed the methodology proposals based on internal reviews of the metrics and discussions with external stakeholders.

Towards a new methodology
The meeting is a milestone in the in-depth methodology review process developed by the Foundation. The process centres on building consensus among experts on where pharmaceutical companies have potential for making the biggest change on global health priorities.

The Expert Committee meeting follows a series of internal reviews by the Research Team to confirm data quality as well as discussions with external stakeholders and experts working in AMR. Following the meeting, the Foundation team will adjust the methodology, resolving any specific questions raised by the Committee members. The EC will then ratify the methodology in the autumn, and the final methodology report will be published early in 2019.


Other AMR news from the Foundation
On 31 May, the Foundation launched a new white paper that describes the link between antibiotics shortages and AMR. The study, titled “Shortages, stockouts and scarcity: the issues facing the security of antibiotic supply and the role for pharmaceutical companies,” published in January 2018 as part of our AMR Benchmark Research Programme. The paper shows how some pharmaceutical companies are addressing fragile antibiotic supply, how this links to antimicrobial resistance, and where further action is needed.