The FINANCIAL — the voice of the research-based pharmaceutical industry in
Europe, welcomes today’s vote of the European Parliament on the threat posed by antimicrobial
resistance.
Commenting on the vote today, Richard Bergström, Director General of EFPIA, said: “According to
the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), an estimated 25,000 Europeans
die each year as a result of drug-resistant infection. Despite being recognised as a major unmet
need, both public and private investments in R&D have declined. The Parliament resolution clearly
“The scientific challenges are enormous. Bacteria are built to survive in difficult environments. Only
by pooling research we will be able to beat the bugs. The need for antimicrobials and the spread of
resistance make the issue a global one on which the EU should take a lead. EFPIA is eager to
engage with the European Commission and other stakeholders to support the Commission’s
comprehensive action plan with proposals to better align business incentives with society’s need for
the development and conservation of new antibacterials. It is an historic shift and the opportunity
should not be lost. It is essential to make sure that we get new antibacterials and that their use is
managed to prevent superbugs building up resistance”, Mr. Bergström concluded.
In November, the European Commission will launch a new anti-microbial resistance strategy as a
response to the Council Conclusions reached under the Swedish Presidency in July-December 2009.
We hope the EC will develop a comprehensive action plan, with concrete proposals concerning
incentives to develop new effective antibiotics, including ways to secure their rational use.
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