Health Organizations Join to Fight Antibiotic Resistance

Health Organizations Join to Fight Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotics have helped save millions of lives, and their use has literally changed the face of modern medicine since they were first introduced more than 70 years ago. Unfortunately, their overuse has made the risk of antibiotic resistance a reality. Today, patients diagnosed with antibiotic-resistant organisms are more likely than ever to experience longer and more expensive hospital stays, in addition to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality caused by infection.

In response to the significant consequences caused by antibiotic resistance, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a group of 25 national health organizations have jointly established a set of principles designed to conserve and replenish antibiotic resources. The coalition’s statement, which was issued in mid-November, has been described as an unprecedented joint partnership to fight antibiotic resistance. In the statement, the coalition acknowledges that resistance is an inevitable consequence of antibiotic exposure, but it collectively recognizes a need to establish guidelines that ensure the future viability of these important drugs.

Among the 12 principles that seek this end, the coalition encourages the development of pharmaceutical products that will fight antibiotic resistance, recognizes that antibiotic resistance is a top global public health threat, and maintains that today’s use of antibiotics will affect their efficacy tomorrow. The statement underscores that the current challenge is the result of antibiotic overuse and the lack of new drugs in development.

To view the statement in its entirety, visit www.rwjf.org. In addition to this joint statement, the CDC has issued strategies for patients, health care providers, hospital administrators, and policymakers for fighting antibiotic resistance.