World Antimicrobial Awareness Week: EU4Health projects combatting antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microorganisms to resist antimicrobial treatments, especially antibiotics, and is linked to the excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials in animal and human healthcare. AMR is estimated to cause 35 000 human deaths annually in the EU/EEA. The economic impact of AMR is also considerable, as it causes an additional €1.5 billion in healthcare costs and productivity losses in the EU every year. 

During Antimicrobial Awareness Week, let’s take a look at EU4Health projects and initiatives managed by HaDEA that aim to combat antimicrobial resistance:

• EU-JAMRAI 2 builds on the work of EU-JAMRAI to support 30 countries in updating their National Action Plans on AMR. The project provides capacity-building support through mentorship, training and initiatives aimed at increasing optimal use of antimicrobials.
• DRIVE-AMS is dedicated to promoting a more appropriate use of antimicrobials by implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship programmes, which follow evidence-based guidelines for prescribing and administering antimicrobials. The project has already delivered five online training sessions and four national Antimicrobial Stewardship courses, reaching 101 participants from 21 hospitals. 
• IMAGINE focuses on AMR among vulnerable older adults living in nursing homes. With a focus on preventing urinary tract infections, the project has successfully recruited 110 nursing homes across eight EU countries and has launched its first registry to monitor their infection prevention and control practices and antibiotic use. Additionally, the project has developed a comprehensive set of training tools to support healthcare staff in their efforts. 
• Involving teams from Southern European countries, where the rates of AMR are particularly high, the TEAM-COACH project has developed an innovative e-learning platform aimed at enhancing infection prevention and control, and Antimicrobial Stewardship in paediatrics. With 120 users already registered, this new tool fills gaps in other existing tools and provides flexible trainings for healthcare workers in both hospital and primary care settings.

In addition to these projects, HaDEA is managing two EU4Health contracts in the field of AMR focusing on speeding up the development of: 

• The vaccine candidate MTBVAC, a new single dose live attenuated tuberculosis vaccine, being developed by BIOFABRI, to combat AMR (€12.6 million);
• Anti-tuberculosis medicines for children in Europe, which will help reduce the use of tuberculosis treatments that are not specifically adapted to children (€5 million).

Relevant links 

Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach

EU Action on Antimicrobial Resistance - European Commission (europa.eu) 

Background

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and tenders, contributing to a healthier Europe.

HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and tenders from 2021 to 2027.

The EU’s ‘One Health Approach’ recognises that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment are closely linked and inter-dependent. The One Health approach to preventing and controlling AMR brings together stakeholders from relevant sectors to work together in the design, implementation and monitoring of programmes, policies, legislation and research to mitigate AMR and attain better health and economic outcomes.