Press Release: Commission paper lays foundations of discussion to tackle the problem of anti-microbial resistance

On 18 November 2009 the European Commission presented a staff working paper that aims to be the basis of discussion on the ways to better tackle the growing health problem of anti-microbial resistance (AMR). Each year about 25,000 patients die in the EU from infections caused by micro-organisms that have developed resistance to antimicrobial medicines. It is also estimated that every year AMR costs 1.5 billion euros in healthcare expenses and productivity losses. The Commission's document provided an overview of the activities already undertaken by the European Union to address the AMR problem and identified areas where further reflection could help the efforts to come up with solutions. It concluded that, although progress has been made in certain areas, further actions are needed to improve the assessment and management of AMR.