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Antimicrobial resistance

    Overview

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.

    AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others.

    Antimicrobials - including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics - are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.

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    Antimicrobial resistance curriculum assessment tool for pharmacy education

    The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) calls for making AMR a core component of professional education and training. In 2018, the World...

    Target product profiles for new antibacterial agents

    This World Health Organization (WHO) report presents target product profiles (TPPs) for new antibacterial agents for therapy of severe infections caused...

    Mainstreaming antimicrobial resistance into primary health care: international workshop report

    The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized an international workshop from 18 to 20 March 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand,...

    GLASS guide on use of national data on antimicrobial use

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat that jeopardizes decades of progress in medicine and public health. Preserving the effectiveness...

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    Country profiles present selected data, statistics and information to provide national health profiles at given points in time.
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