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What is AMR?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

AMR occurs when microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi) develop the ability to resist the action of medicines that would otherwise kill them or prevent them from growing. AMR emergence is accelerated by:

· Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans.
· Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animals.
· Poor hygiene and sanitation conditions.
· Lack of research and innovation to develop novel antibiotics.
· Lack of health investment.

AMR threatens public health significantly because infections become hard to control and common treatments - such as chemotherapy, organ transplants and other major surgeries - can become too risky to undertake routinely.

Watch the video below to learn more about AMR and how our research aims to help tackle this major global health problem.

Solutions to tackle AMR

AMR is one of the most complex and multifaceted global health challenges today. The next few years will define the trajectory of the long-term global AMR response and how successful it can be.

Click the links below to learn more about how the IOI is contributing to address the global health problem of AMR.

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Our research

Find out more about AMR

Antibiotic resistance

A factsheet from the WHO on antibiotic resistance

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The global burden of AMR in 2019

This study, published in the Lancet in 2022, presents the most comprehensive estimates of AMR burden to date.

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The review on AMR

This report outlines the final recommendations of "The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)", where economist Jim O’Neill analyses the global problem of rising drug resistance and proposes concrete actions to tackle it internationally.

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Antibacterial agents in clinical and preclinical development

This 2021 report from the WHO presents an overview and analysis of antibacterial agents in clinical and preclinical development.

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