Last night, I convened a Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Life Sciences meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), attended by 41 MSPs, academics and industry representatives.
AMR leads to the deaths of five million people globally each year. In Scotland more die as a result of AMR than breast cancer.
Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care; Warren Cowell, Market Access & Government Affairs Director of Shionogi Europe and Dr Kate Anderson, the SNP Government’s Interim AMR Policy and Strategy Team Leader presented on this important matter.
Each took all of the questions raised from the floor regarding their respective presentations.
Discussions included how Scotland can reduce the need for and unintentional exposure to antimicrobials whilst optimising their use and furthermore, how we can invest in innovation, supply, and access.
The SNP Government is currently working closely with the UK Department for Health and Social Care to deliver these goals highlighted in the National Action Plan for 2019-2024.
The meeting coincided with yesterday’s publication of the Scottish One Health Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in 2021 (SONAAR) report by the NHS providing data relating to antibiotic use and resistance in Scotland last year.
To view the full report, click here: Scottish One Health Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in 2021 | National Services Scotland (nhs.scot)
