From: Antimicrobial resistance: a global view from the 2013 World Healthcare-Associated Infections Forum
For policy-makers and health authorities: | |
1 | Limit the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals by banning non-therapeutic applications, including growth promotion and metaphylaxis |
2 | Establish and enforce regulations on sales of antimicrobials for use in human medicine, including prohibition of over-the-counter sales worldwide |
3 | Develop a detailed charter on antimicrobial conservation to be ratified and upheld by ministries of health worldwide |
4 | Develop coordinated and culturally sensitive awareness campaigns targeting the general public and imparting the importance of protecting antimicrobials as a limited and non-renewable resource |
5 | Rigorously support the improvement of sanitation systems to eliminate resistant microbes in wastewater; regularly provide education about fundamental practices such as hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection |
6 | Together with the pharmaceutical industry, explore (1) incentives to stimulate research and fast-track development of novel antimicrobials and (2) new economic models that reconcile public health interests with industry profitability |
For the human and veterinary healthcare communities: | |
7 | Establish standardized, universal methods and metrics for surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance development, respectively |
8 | In medical and veterinary school curricula, require universal and detailed instruction in microbial resistance development and the prudent use of antimicrobials; for physicians and veterinarians in training, require on-the-job refresher courses |
For the general public: | |
9 | Include patients and other antimicrobial consumers in the development and implementation of action plans |
For industry: | |
10 | Continue to develop and advance point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests to avoid the prescription of antibiotics for viral infections and allow more targeted therapy |