Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global health threat that can potentially cause a range of negative impacts on individuals, society, and the global economy.

Here are few reasons why AMR should be a cause for concern:

• Increased Morbidity and Mortality

• AMR makes infections harder to treat, and in some cases impossible to cure. This can lead to increased morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) rates, especially among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems

• Limited Treatment Options

• As antimicrobial drugs become less effective, healthcare professionals may have fewer options for treating bacterial infections. This could result in longer hospital stays, more severe illnesses, and a higher risk of complications

• Increased Healthcare Costs

• The cost of treating AMR infections can be much higher than treating infections caused by sensitive microorganisms. Additionally the development of new antimicrobial drugs is expensive, and the limited number of effective drugs may lead to a price increase and decrease in accessibility of treatments

• Negative Economic Impact

• AMR can have a negative impact on economic growth and development, as it can reduce productivity, increase healthcare costs, and limit the effectiveness of certain industries such as agriculture

• Global Health Threat

• AMR is a global health threat that does not respect borders. It can spread easily across countries and continents, and the lack of effective treatments can lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates worldwide.

Collaborative efforts are required to combat these threats. As patients, patient caregivers, patient advocates, and patient organisations we created “The Patient Consensus Statement on Antimicrobial Resistance”. Our statement emphasises the importance of appropriate antimicrobial use, promoting the responsible use of antimicrobial drugs and preventing their unnecessary use. It also advocates for increased investment in research and development of new antimicrobial drugs, improved surveillance and monitoring of AMR, and education campaigns for patients, healthcare providers, and the general public. Overall the statement stresses the urgent need for action to combat the growing threat of AMR and calls for a collaborative approach involving all the stakeholders. If you would like to read the full statement you can find it here, Antimicrobial Resistance