Davos Declaration on Antibiotic Resistance Signed by Over 80 Companies

International momentum to address the threat of antibiotic resistance continues to build, as evidenced by the joint declaration issued today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The statement calls for renewed cooperation among governments and industry to create sustainable markets for antibiotics and for revitalization of the necessary basic scientific research and development needed to create a new generation of lifesaving drugs.

The declaration also supports continued work to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate use of antibiotics in human medicine and in livestock in order to preserve the long-term effectiveness of our existing drugs. It puts more than 80 signatories—including international pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostic, and generic drug companies—on record as saying that such stewardship is essential to slow the rise of resistant bacteria known as “superbugs.”

Here in the United States, The Pew Charitable Trusts is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish targets for reducing overall antibiotic use in hospitals, clinics, and throughout our health care system. Pew is also working with a group of scientists, and industry stakeholders to identify and break down scientific barriers to the discovery of new drugs and novel antibacterial treatments.