India joins global antimicrobial resistance R&D hub

India has become a member of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub. The announcement was made by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology in New Delhi on September 12, 2019.

With India’s inclusion, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development hub now has 16 member nations. The hub also has the European Commission, two philanthropic foundations as members and four international organisations as observers.

The partnership works to address challenges and improve coordination and collaboration in the global antimicrobial resistance research and development. The issue of antimicrobial resistance requires global action with active participation from all world regions and One Health sectors.

Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub

The global research and development hub on antimicrobial resistance was launched in May 2018 on the sidelines of the 71st session of the World Health Assembly. The hub was set up following a call from the G20 member nations in 2017.

The hub supports global priority setting and evidence-based decision-making on the allocation of resources for antimicrobial resistance research and development through the identification of gaps, overlaps and potential for cross-sectoral collaboration and leveraging in AMR R&D.

The operations of the hub are supported through a Secretariat, which is established in Berlin, Germany. It is currently financed through grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).

India at Global Antimicrobial Resistance R&D hub

India will be one of the board members of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance R&D hub. India aims to work with all the hub partners to boost their existing capabilities, resources and collectively focus on new R&D intervention to address infections that are drug resistant.

What is antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance refers to a microbe’s ability to resist the effects of drugs that could once treat it successfully. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance is currently unchecked around the world.

Resistant microbes are very difficult to treat. Such microbes require alternative medication or higher doses of antimicrobials, which can be more expensive, more toxic or both.  The microbes resistant to multiple antimicrobials are called multidrug-resistant (MDR).  

India feels that it is feasible to explore issues of antimicrobial resistance through One Health approach which should be supported by long-term commitments from all stakeholders.