The UK government has announced up to £210 ($267) million of funding to partner with countries across Asia and Africa to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and reduce the threat posed to the UK.
The announcement follows the £39 ($48) million investment through the Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) in May.
The money is intended to pay for new laboratories, disease surveillance systems, and a bigger global workforce.
The funding will support the Fleming Fund’s activities to tackle AMR in countries across Asia and Africa over the next three years, helping to reduce the threat it poses to the UK and globally.
It will bolster the surveillance capacity in up to 25 countries where the threat and burden of AMR is highest – including Indonesia, Ghana, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea – with more than 250 laboratories set to be upgraded and provided with new equipment.
The investment includes new genome sequencing technology which will help track bacterial transmission between humans, animals and the environment.
The fund will also support 20,000 training sessions for laboratory staff, pharmacists and hospital staff, and over 200 Fleming Fund scholarships to boost expertise in microbiology, AMR policy and One Health – which recognises the connection between humans, animals and the environment.
Industry response to AMR fund
Claire Machin, ABPI Executive Director, International Policy & UK Competitiveness responded to the announcement: “In the face of the daunting challenge posed by antimicrobial resistance, continued funding into this global issue remains a key priority. Advancing research, surveillance, and international collaboration on innovative solutions to combat AMR through a One Health approach is essential.
“The pharmaceutical industry has also stepped up support and invested £1.2 billion to bring new antibiotics to market by 2030 through the AMR Action Fund. Commitments from both our industry and policymakers worldwide mean we can counteract the threat of AMR and secure the well-being of generations to come.”
Edited by Diana Spencer, Senior Digital Content Editor, Drug Discovery World
