In the battle against drug-resistant superbugs, experts in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continue to shed light on the critical need for legislative support to revitalize the development of new antibiotics. AMR is an escalating global health crisis that threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial medications, leaving us vulnerable to once easily treatable infections. As bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi evolve, they develop resistance to the drugs used to combat them, rendering many existing treatments ineffective. The consequences of AMR are dire, impacting both human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment. Ensuring infection prevention, antibiotic stewardship, robust diagnostics, a strengthened infectious disease workforce, and the establishment of policies that incentivize the discovery and development of novel antimicrobials are all crucial components in combatting this crisis.
AMR poses a significant threat to human health, and is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Routine medical procedures, such as surgeries and cancer treatments, could become riskier as infections become harder to treat.
In the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), lawmakers are taking a significant step forward with the reintroduction of the bipartisan PASTEUR (Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance) Act. The PASTEUR Act proposes a multifaceted approach to address AMR comprehensively. One of its key features is incentivizing the discovery and development of novel antimicrobial drugs.