Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)–Coordinated Research Initiative for the Implementation of Antimicrobial Resistance Control Strategies
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Understanding the global consequences of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans, animals, and the environment remains a highly complex, yet critically important, problem. From Oct. 28-30, leading researchers and policy makers met in Santiago, Chile to begin formulating a coordinated response to AMR among Pacific Rim countries. Attending as an internationally known expert in the field, Dr. H. Morgan Scott, professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, highlighted existing and potential research agendas, in both biological and social sciences, which can contribute meaningfully to addressing this problem.
In addition to regulatory aspects of combatting AMR at a national level, Scott addressed the policy barriers to effective AMR surveillance and intervention in a global society as food animals and their products move across international boundaries through the “farm to fork” continuum.
“AMR is a growing problem that has existed since antibiotics were first discovered and commercialized,” Scott said. “We, as a society, have previously taken the path of developing newer, stronger antibiotics, which has served to complicate the rapid spread and expansion of AMR bacteria. If we do not gather as an international community of researchers and policy makers to begin implementing global strategies to slow the growth and spread of AMR, we will one day arrive at a point where we no longer have treatment options for serious infections in both humans and animals.”
Attendees and presenters at the regional workshop included representatives from the countries of Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ireland, Indonesia, the Peoples’ Republic of China, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States. Topics included the evaluation of surveillance programs; the impact of AMR on aquaculture; risk analysis approaches to AMR; genetic and genomic research; and efforts by the World Health Organization to coordinate harmonized and integrated monitoring systems around the globe.
“Working together in a collaborative manner not only advances the science of antimicrobial resistance, but also serves as a foundation for the development of effective international standards for surveillance, risk assessment, and risk management—including interventions,” Scott said. “The work begun at this workshop, which is hopefully the first of many others, is an important step forward to ensuring we will have effective treatments for bacterial infections in the future. The health of generations to come is at stake, and the pressing need to answer these larger questions and develop proactive and effective strategies is one I believe has given all of us a sense of urgency.”
###
Contact Information: Megan Palsa, mpalsa@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216, 979-421-3121 (cell)
