Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted
Ensure sufficient resourcing, prioritisation, and implementation focus for scientific AMR research globally.
Recommendation
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
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and states it is implemented. They commit to ensuring evidence informs AMR policy through ongoing research funding aligned with NAP priorities, public sector collaboration, and considering international activity, detailing significant existing investments and research initiatives.
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.