Session 11
Thursday, 1 October 2020 | 16:30-18:00 | Room 1
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest challenges of our age and yet, despite the global discussion around antimicrobial innovation, there has been limited action to address the fundamental economic challenges that have de-incentivised antimicrobial R&D. Policymakers need to move beyond the traditional approaches to finally “dance with the elephant” – that is, to put in place the necessary market-based reforms that will drive sustainable private investment in antimicrobial R&D.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call for health system preparedness and innovation against infectious diseases. It has made clear the huge human and economic costs when we do not have the treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics we need. Further, COVID-19 has highlighted the fundamental role antibiotics play in the treatment of secondary bacterial infections.
Unlike COVID-19, AMR is a predictable and preventable crisis. This timely session will ask: