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AMR Infographic.
Source: American Society for °®¶¹´«Ã½

Adaptation is a natural consequence of exposure to antimicrobials that makes antimicrobial resistance (decreased sensitivity to antimicrobial agents) inevitable and irreversible. The overuse of antimicrobial agents in medicine, production of food animals and crop protection have caused increasing resistance to those agents.


As existing antimicrobial agents decline in effectiveness, infections will be more difficult and expensive to treat and epidemics harder to control. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects the terrifying prospect of 10 million AMR-related deaths per year globally by 2050.

Key Causes of AMR:

  • Over-prescription of antimicrobials.
  • Shortened courses or incomplete compliance with antimicrobial treatment.
  • Antimicrobial overuse in livestock and fish farming.
  • Poor infection control in health care settings.
  • Poor hygiene and sanitation.
  • Limited discovery of new antimicrobials.
AMR genes are incredibly promiscuous, circulating through humans, animals, plants and the environment, and implementing a One Health approach is key to combatting the spread of resistance.

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AMR Policy and Advocacy Initiatives

Policy to Combat AMR

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Gloved hand holding petri dish with microorganisms.
Gloved hand holding petri dish with microorganisms.
Source: iStock

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Antimicrobial Resistance