Improving evidence-based decision-making through AMU/AMR data interpretation

Regional workshop on the interpretation of AMU / AMR data to improve evidence-based decision-making in Asia and the Pacific

Background

Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, have significantly improved human and animal health. However, their effectiveness is declining as microbes become resistant to treatment. This phenomenon, known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), poses a major threat to public and animal health, undermines medical progress, and is becoming a leading global cause of death. Without action, AMR could cause 38.5 million deaths and cost the global healthcare system US$159 billion annually by 2050.

To address this, evidence-based policies and effective surveillance are essential. Analysing AMR alongside antimicrobial use (AMU) data helps identify key drivers and supports targeted interventions. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has been collecting AMU data through its ANIMUSE database for over a decade, encouraging countries to set and monitor national AMU reduction targets as part of AMR action plans.

A One Health approach that integrates data from human, animal, plant, and environmental sectors is critical to understanding and combating AMR. Coordinated and harmonised surveillance systems enable better data sharing, policy development, and action across sectors, supporting efforts by the Quadripartite Organisations and the Global Leaders Group on AMR.

Objectives

With no harmonisation of the AMR and AMU surveillance data, it will not be possible to jointly analyse data across sectors to inform development policies and interventions tackling AMR with a One Health approach. Therefore, the metrics used for surveillance data need to be aligned. As a first step, sector-specific surveillance systems should be strengthened, and a common criterion for harmonisation should be identified. In this context, the following were the objectives of the workshop:

Train participants to use AMR/AMU surveillance data jointly under the One Health concept, to support informed decision- and policymaking at the country level
Mapping ongoing sector-specific and/or integrated AMR/AMU surveillance activities at the country level
Introduce the principles of overarching guidelines for the One Health integrated surveillance of AMR and AMU of the Quadripartite for AMR (QTP-AMR)
Identify potential challenges/barriers that may hinder the successful use of AMR/AMU surveillance data for the implementation of integrated surveillance
Make recommendations to improve the integration of AMR/AMU surveillance systems across 2 or more sectors
Creating a network of support and sharing of expertise among countries of the region