Key considerations on the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance research and surveillance

The need to implement stronger diagnostic stewardship to assess the global incidence of coinfections and secondary infections in COVID-19 patients is now more important than ever. Long-term global surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance trends will help to prepare for potential changes to resistance patterns while ensuring uninterrupted supply chains and preventing drug shortages and stock-outs. However, such interventions can present implementation challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries without additional adequate support. Internationally coordinated, targeted research on antimicrobial resistance, and specifically increased transparency from the pharmaceutical industry on their relevant surveillance data, is critical to support preparation for future challenges. This includes the threat of drug-resistant infections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics. 

The article, co-authored by Margo Warren, Government Engagement and Policy Manager at the Access to Medicine Foundation, outlines key pragmatic opportunities that companies in scope of the Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark, including GSK, Shionogi and MSD, can take to help halt the global spread of AMR. 

Read the full article here.