Antimicrobial resistance: The complex challenge of measurement to inform policy and the public

Summary points

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is developing in many pathogenic bacteria, threatening to compromise the effectiveness of crucial medical treatments.

• Member States of the United Nations (UN) have reiterated their commitment to tackle AMR at the UN General Assembly held in New York City on 21 September 2016. The main challenge is now implementation of the Global Action Plan (GAP) adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015.

• There are currently large information gaps about the global governance of AMR regarding both the magnitude of the problem and national responses.

• Expanding national and subnational monitoring by integrating measurements ranging from assessments of drivers of AMR to responses can increase political buy-in, societal participation, and implementation of agreed policies.

• WHO should lead the way to expand monitoring of progress regarding AMR control, but a broad coalition of global health actors is needed to build a robust approach in a significant number of countries.