Expert roundtable discussion dedicated to the problem of antimicrobial resistance to take place in Moscow

On 20-21 February 2017, the 2nd UK-Russia expert roundtable discussion dedicated to the problem of antimicrobial resistance “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Action Plans Implementation” will be held at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Moscow. This event is organised by the UK Science & Innovation Network (SIN-Russia) of the British Embassy in Moscow and Department for International Trade in Russia (DIT Russia) in collaboration with the Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (IACMAC) in Smolensk (Russia) and the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC). 

 

In the framework of the roundtable, leading UK and Russian experts in medicine and the veterinary sector, representatives of pharmaceutical companies, and UK and Russian ministries as well as World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will share their experience in implementing national AMR strategies and action plans. The event will also focus on the contribution of the pharmaceutical industry to the AMR tackling campaign. At the roundtable BSAC and IACMAC will report on their joint work and a UK-Russia pilot project on establishing stewardship systems in Russian hospitals. This event is a follow-up to the 1st UK-Russia roundtable discussion on policy, research, and collaboration in the field of AMR held in Moscow in December 2015.

Leading UK experts will be participating in the event – Professor Dilip Nathwani (President, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC)), Professor Neil Woodford (Head, AMRHAI Reference Unit, Public Health England (PHE)), Professor Peter Borriello (CEO of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, DEFRA). From the Russian side the event will feature corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Roman Kozlov (Director, Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Smolensk State Medical University, IACMAC President), and a number of other leading experts. Representatives of some of the UK pharmaceutical companies are also among the participants.

Antimicrobial resistance remains one of the global threats to public health and economy. It is estimated that by 2050 we could face an additional 10 million deaths per year and at a total cost to the global economy of up to $100 trillion. Countering AMR is one of the priorities of the UK Government. In recent years, the UK has undertaken tremendous efforts to mobilize world community to tackle the AMR problem. In 2016, a UK Side Event dedicated to AMR was held at the United Nations General Assembly. UK experts hold leading positions in AMR stewardship programmes.