BIVDA Press Releases

22^nd October 2018

Today the Health and Social Care Committee has published its report on Antimicrobial resistance.

The report calls for visible and active Government leadership to tackle Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and for AMR to be firmly established as a top five policy priority for the Government.

Doris-Ann Williams, BIVDA’s Chief Executive, commented: “Urgent action is required to halt AMR. While the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has helped to create multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria, greater adoption of IVDs would lead to a reduction in cases of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing by reducing time to appropriate treatment decision and allowing for a more targeted use of therapy against infection.” 

“We therefore welcome the Committee’s conclusion that encouraging the development of rapid diagnostic testing should be considered alongside the action to promote the development of new antimicrobials. We look forward to continuing to contribute a clear voice on the importance of in vitro diagnostics in tackling AMR and to working together with government and policymakers to build on the urgent issues raised in today’s report”. 

The report by the Health and Social Care Committee into Antimicrobial resistance can be found here.

For more information on the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) industry Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Declaration, click here.