Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Accepted
Scientific research and development are crucial for advancing AMR diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.
Conclusion
Taking advantage of scientific research and developments will be very important in addressing the threat of AMR. Research and development can improve tools such as diagnostics to improve prescribing of antimicrobials, as well as producing new antimicrobials and vaccines.82 It can also promote innovative forms of mitigating and treating AMR, such as through the use of artificial intelligence—which may be a more cost-effective approach, according to Dr Partridge—or genomic sequencing.83
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion, stating it is implemented by existing efforts. They detail their commitment to using evidence for AMR policy, including ongoing research funding aligned with NAP priorities, collaboration, and considering international activity, highlighting significant investments and research initiatives already underway.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 6.2 The government is committed to ensuring evidence informs AMR policy, through providing research funding aligned with the NAP top 10 research priorities, collaborating on public sector research and considering international activity that could inform the government’s approach to AMR. 6.3 Through the NIHR, DHSC has invested over £88 million in funding for AMR. DHSC also funds the NIHR Innovation Observatory, which provides horizon scanning to support adoption of cutting-edge innovations into policy and practice. The Global AMR Innovation Fund funds vital research to benefit low- and middle-income countries where the burden of AMR is highest. 6.4 Over the course of this parliament, the government is investing over £1 billion to enhance domestic biosecurity capabilities, to strengthen protection from the growing threat from animal diseases. Funding marks the next phase of investment into establishing a Network of National Biosecurity Centres. 6.5 The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) and AMR, a partnership between UKHSA and University of Oxford, will identify the most efficient and cost-effective approaches for the detection, surveillance, investigation and reduction of HCAI and AMR. UKHSA continues to support evidence generation to inform wider access to alternative antimicrobial therapeutics, such as bacteriophages. 6.6 NHSE publishes a monthly AMR evidence bulletin and annual horizon scans for AMR innovation. NHSE has an active role on steering groups of high-priority AMR research studies, including the Phased-In, BRIT2 and TOUCAN trials. 6.7 VMD funds ongoing research, including novel approaches to surveillance, to understand and mitigate AMR evolution and transmission.