In focus
In September, the WHO released their first Global Report on the Epidemiology and Burden of Sepsis.
The report draws attention to:
– the threat of resistant infections to sepsis patients
– the opportunities that exist in integrating our surveillance and response to antibiotic resistance.
Here ReAct highlights four take aways in the shared challenges – and point out tools that unite the global effort against sepsis and antibiotic resistance.
ReAct is an independent network dedicated to the problem of antibiotic resistance. ReAct is a global catalyst, advocating and stimulating for global engagement on antibiotic resistance through a broad range of collaborations.
Theme
Articles relating to COVID-19 and antibiotic resistance.
News
ReAct Asia Pacific has been organizing photography competitions for students every year to commemorate the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. Three editions of the competition has been organized so far, with a large number of entries coming from South and South East Asian countries. The primary objective of the competition has been to introduce the issue of antibiotic resistance to students and engage their creative energies.
Policy
ReAct welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to develop a new strategy for the pharmaceutical sector in Europe. The proposed strategy should be seen against the background of several years of heated discussions in Brussels on how to address the increasing problem of high-priced medicines and patients’ lack of access to such medicines in a number of EU Member States.
ReAct Interview
Being a zoologist, Jessica Mitchell worked in different countries traveling to remote sites and engaged with the local communities. She enjoyed being able to bring her biological knowledge to an applied problem and support communities to develop their own solutions.
This is when she realized she wanted to develop her human behavior skillset and at the same time use her biology background to address applied problems – such as antimicrobial resistance.
Science
Shortages of antibiotics have become a global problem that also affect countries with robust healthcare and regulatory systems. The causes are several, sometimes difficult to oversee, and the solutions are not as easy to implement as they are to conceptualize. Shortages of medicines in general cause patients to lose access to important treatments and, as such, lead to increased costs, morbidity and even mortality. But shortages of antibiotics may also lead to increases in antibiotic resistance.
In focus
Here you find links to articles, reports and short videos – to learn more about the impact of Antimicrobial Resistance on Universal Health Coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals and the urgent need to find ways to finance efforts to manage antimicrobial resistance.
The ReAct Toolbox is a user-friendly web-based resource that provides inspiration and guidance to take action and develop national action plans on antibiotic resistance. It is built on what has been done in the past in a variety of settings, and is aligned with ongoing and current initiatives from across the globe.
ReAct is a global network of antibiotic resistance experts with nodes in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.
In the last 70 years the use of antibiotics has been crucial in improving countless lives and drastically reducing deaths caused by bacterial infections. The increasing development of antibiotic resistance is posing a serious threat to human health and development, the environment and for animal health. Learn more about ReAct’s work on antibiotic resistance here.
Involved in developing your country's National Action Plan? Here you find support for developing a comprehensive plan.
Doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians and other health care professionals - you have the power to take action! Learn more about how to get started.
Engagement from civil society organizations and communities is needed to tackle antibiotic resistance. Learn more about how to get involved.