A monitoring framework for reinforcing policies against antimicrobial resistance in Europe

Abstract In an attempt to overcome barriers to the effective implementation of policies against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the EU Member States, Norway and Iceland, One Health national action plans (NAPs) need to show improvements in both their formulation and their implementation. Research conducted by Tetra Tech, funded by the EU4Health Programme, has identified shortcomings to One Health national policies across all countries, such as limited political focus and awareness of the challenges brought by AMR; lack of operational plans for delivering on the NAPs; and lack of harmonised indicators and inadequate information systems for monitoring the implementation of plans. On this last issue, subsequent reseach by Tetra Tech has supported the design and development of monitoring indicators for reinforcing the expected improvements of NAPs and the implementation of policies aimed at EU Member States in the 2023 “Council Recommendation on stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach”. While drawing on existing data sources at EU and global level, the study has also worked with Member States representatives in identifying indicators for the monitoring framework and proposed new data collection activities at the national level. Key messages • EU countries face common barriers to the effective implementation of One health policies against AMR, and need to reinforce their national action plans. • Stepping up the fight against AMR in the EU requires a strong monitoring framework for following up on EU recommendations.