Leaders in Fighting AMR Discuss Strategies at Annual S-FAR Meeting

The IDSA-led Stakeholder Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance (S-FAR) recently held its 4th annual strategy meeting in Washington, DC. The meeting included an update from the Department of Health and Human Services on the progress made through the Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (CARB) National Action Plan, followed by a stakeholder discussion of potential priorities for the next iteration of the CARB National Action Plan, which will begin in 2020.  Of note, HHS shared that 76 percent of hospitals in the U.S. now have stewardship programs that align with all of the CDC Core Elements.  However, far fewer are reporting important antibiotic use and resistance data to the CDC.  

Participants also engaged in strategy discussions about advocacy for increased funding for research and public health initiatives to combat AMR in the US and globally.  Finally, a panel discussion featuring large and small pharmaceutical companies explored approaches for pursuing new antibiotic incentives in 2019.

IDSA will continue utilizing S-FAR as an important mechanism to drive stakeholder activities to develop and promote AMR policies and educate policymakers.