Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Antimicrobial Resistance

17 April 2024 · 3 other contributors · 4,029 words

Opened by Will Quince Con Colchester

Responding minister: Maria Caulfield

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Will Quince raised concerns about antimicrobial resistance in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • MP concerned about low public awareness of antimicrobial resistance, which is a top global health threat.
  • AMR results in approximately 12,000 deaths annually in the UK and costs the NHS about 180 million yearly.
  • MP calls for increased awareness campaigns and urgent action on global surveillance and international agreements.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks the Government to push for greater awareness campaigns on AMR globally and domestically. He also requests that more urgent action is taken to promote appropriate global surveillance, international agreements based on common evidence-based goals, and effective use of the UK's overseas aid budget to help reduce infection incidence.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Will Quince Con Colchester

The MP is concerned about the lack of public awareness regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), despite it being a top global health threat according to the World Health Organisation. He mentioned that AMR results in an estimated 12,000 deaths annually in the UK and costs the NHS around £180 million per year. The MP highlighted that one in five infections is now resistant to antibiotics, with potential for this rate to double by 2035, making it harder to treat common infections and putting modern medical procedures at risk.

Other contributors (3)
  • Greg Clark

    He suggested that bacteriophages, which are viruses that eat bacteria and could be a solution to antimicrobial resistance, should receive more attention. He pointed out the lack of an approved manufacturing plant in the UK for phage therapy and proposed repurposing the Leamington Spa Lighthouse lab as a potential manufacturing site. Acknowledged UK's leadership in AMR research and asked if there are plans to accelerate the availability of point-of-care testing, noting that other countries like the Netherlands have made significant progress.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    He expressed concern about the increase in antibiotic use, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when antibiotics were prescribed without an examination. He urged for stricter control over antibiotic prescriptions to prevent unnecessary use. Reminded the Minister of a suggestion from a group he consults with: pregnant women should be screened for Group B Strep during labour, rather than routinely treating them with antibiotics.

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    Asked the Minister whether it is appropriate to import human sewage sludge for farmland use, given concerns about antibiotic resistance material potentially entering the sea.

Government Response

Maria Caulfield

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Will Quince) for securing today's debate and acknowledge his work on antimicrobial resistance during his tenure as Minister at the Department of Health and Social Care. The minister highlights that more than 1 million people die annually from infections resistant to treatment, exceeding deaths from HIV or malaria. She stresses the importance of public awareness and responsibility in using antibiotics correctly and completing courses. Additionally, she mentions reducing antibiotic use by 59% in food-producing animals, investing £89 million in phage therapy research, and committing £210 million for Phase II of the Fleming Fund to improve surveillance systems globally. She also discusses ongoing work on a national action plan post-2024 and future plans including an ambitious programme of work set out in the next five-year antimicrobial resistance national action plan.

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