Evaluating the National Action Plan (NAP) on antimicrobial resistance, and recommendations for the next 5-year NAP: a roundtable discussion

Abstract

The UK’s current 5-year National Action Plan (NAP) on tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which runs from 2019 to 2024, is coming to an end. As such, the next 5-year NAP is currently under development, and progress made towards the UK’s commitments on AMR is being analysed. This analysis has involved the publication of an addendum to the current NAP, which includes some new and revised commitments. Applied Microbiology International (AMI) held a roundtable discussion in November 2022, inviting UK experts from across the human and animal sectors to discuss their thoughts on progress to date, as well as any recommendations and key considerations they thought should be taken forward. Overall, it was agreed that there is a major disparity between the increasing ambitions of the NAP, and the reducing financial support for achieving said ambitions. The gap between evidence generation and implementing recommendations into real-world settings also presents a key challenge to overcome, if the NAPs commitments are to be achieved. A lack of communication and funding appear to underpin many of the barriers that prevent the successful delivery of current NAP commitments and are therefore highlighted as key areas of concern for policymakers to consider when looking to tackle AMR. The focus should be on successfully implementing and delivering the current NAP commitments ahead of identifying future ambitions.