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Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Scottish Action Plan
The basis of control
The three key, inter-related elements of the strategy to control antimicrobial resistance are:
Surveillance: to monitor "how we are doing" and provide the data on resistant organisms, illness due to them and antimicrobial usage necessary to inform action.
Prudent antimicrobial use: to reduce the "pressure for resistance" by reducing unnecessary and inappropriate exposure of micro-organisms to antimicrobial agents in clinical practice, veterinary practice, animal husbandry, agriculture and horticulture.
Infection control: to reduce the spread of infection in general (and thus some of the need for antimicrobial agents) and of antimicrobial resistant micro-organisms in particular.
All these need to be supported by tailored information, education, communication, research, the necessary infrastructure (including information technology) and organisational support and, where necessary, by legislation or regulation.
To be effective, the strategy requires a sense of ownership and partnership across Government departments and a wide range of individuals and organisations, including members of the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. It is essential also that it is co-ordinated and monitored against its stated aims and objectives.
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