Recommendation 34

Several organisations carry out research on AMR, including DHSC and UKHSA who are responsible for funding some of this research, for example through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) which reported that it funded £88 million of AMR research as part of the 2019–24 NAP.87 Much AMR research is also carried out globally outside of the UK and the government must monitor this carefully as well.88 During the 2024–29 NAP, funding for research on AMR will be steered by the top 10 research priorities of the 2024–29 NAP.89 It is important that sufficient resourcing, prioritisation and focus on implementation is placed on scientific research to reduce the threat of AMR.90 A submission we received from RAND Europe argued for the need for careful prioritisation and translating research into specific improvements.91 82 Qq 43, 50 83 Qq 3, 17; Elita Jauneikaite, Prof Kate S Baker, Jamie G Nunn, Janet T Midega, Prof Li Yang Hsu, Shweta R Singh, et al., ‘Genomics for antimicrobial resistance surveillance to support infection prevention and control in health-care facilities’, The Lancet Microbe, volume 4, issue 12, December 2023 84 C&AG’s Report, paras 3.13–3.14 85 Q 26 86 Qq 100–101 87 NIHR, Tackling antimicrobial resistance with investment and innovation, October 2024 88 World Health Organisation, Global research agenda for antimicrobial resistance in human health, June 2023 89 C&AG’s Report, para 19 90 Qq 43, 101–102 91 AR0002 19 Antibiotic subscription model