Delegates at the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) Forum 2016, agreed upon and issued a Call to Action against antimicrobial resistance during the biannual meeting, held 18-21 May 2016, in Tubingen, Germany. EPN, a partner of the USAID-funded SIAPS Program, issued the renewed call to action with support from SIAPS and other partners.
The Call to Action comes at a time when antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to erode progress against many current global health threats and to cause a resurgence of diseases that are currently easily treated with antibacterials, antivirals, or other antimicrobials. AMR threatens not only the health of patients, but also impedes efforts to strengthen health systems and is a barrier to achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
While antimicrobial resistance has long been recognized as global threat, actions to combat the spread and further emergence of AMR have been relatively limited. The Call to Action highlights four specific actions that can be taken forward by a number of key groups: 1) governments and policy makers; 2) health care institutions; 3) health schools, training institutions, and professional organizations; 4) health care providers and community health workers; and 5) patient advocacy groups and consumers.
Read the full call to action here.
About EPN: The Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN), a faith-based organization, includes over 100 members from over 30 countries across 5 continents. EPN supports churches and church health systems in providing and promoting just, compassionate, and quality pharmaceutical services; and believes that access to safe and effective medicines of assured quality is a human right.
