What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and how can you help combat it?

Andi Biotic reminds us to Keep Antibiotics Working

Imagine a world where common infections became life-threatening, because our medicines no longer worked. It might sound like the plot for a dystopian film, but this scenario is real and it's happening now. Antimicrobial resistance, known as AMR, is stopping antibiotics from being as effective as they used to be. There were an estimated 66,730 serious antibiotic-resistant infections in 2023, a rise compared to 62,314 that we saw in 2019, before the pandemic.

This blog post explains why we all need to be more aware of AMR and what it means, and introduces the new campaign to Keep Antibiotics Working, fronted by our mascot Andi Biotic. 

What exactly is AMR?

AMR occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms evolve to survive the medicines we use to fight them. Just as we adapt to challenges, bacteria can adapt to survive antibiotics. When this happens, these vital medicines stop working when we need them most. Find out more about AMR on the NHS website.

The global impact

The numbers tell a stark story:

• in 2021 alone, AMR directly caused 1.14 million deaths worldwide: that's more than 1 million families losing someone they love
• if we don’t act now, by 2050, AMR could claim an additional 39 million lives globally
• without effective antibiotics, routine medical procedures like your appendix or tonsils being removed, hip replacements, caesarean sections, dental work and chemotherapy could become extremely risky due to the threat of untreatable infections

While AMR affects everyone, Black British and Asian British communities face a higher risk of developing infections that don't respond well to antibiotics, which makes it crucial that we focus our activities to address this issue.

Our campaign

We have created a new campaign, fronted by our mascot Andi Biotic, who is on a mission to make people aware of the correct ways to use antibiotics. These are simple things everyone can do, to help make sure antibiotics work for you and for future generations.

How you can help

Here are 3 simple but powerful actions: 

1. Don't take antibiotics for colds and flu - they won't help because these illnesses are caused by viruses, not bacteria. If in doubt, go to your local pharmacy for advice.
2. Never save antibiotics for later use - they won’t work properly and could make the problem worse.
3. When prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed by your GP, nurse or pharmacist, to make sure they are effective.

UKHSA’s role in tackling AMR

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) plays a pivotal role in the UK's 20-year strategy to tackle AMR, recently publishing a new National Action Plan (2024-2029).

Our aim is to contain and control AMR by 2040. Here are 3 ways we are working towards that goal:

1. We are developing cutting-edge surveillance and innovation at facilities including our Porton Down replica hospital ward, which enables us to study the exact conditions found in a hospital ward without putting anyone at risk. The agency's publication of surveillance reports such as the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) report provides crucial data for scientists and policy makers.
2. Our Incidents, Outbreaks & Stewardship team responds to multidrug-resistant outbreaks and develops resources to be used by healthcare practitioners.
3. We raise awareness about appropriate antibiotic use through campaigns just like this one.

Want to do more?

We hope this information encourages you to join us in fighting back against AMR. There are ways to get involved:

• visit the NHS website to learn more about antibiotic resistance
• share what you've learned with friends and family
• you can sign up to find out more information about the campaign here, and access lots of videos, graphics and assets to share with others

Together, we can help keep these vital medicines working for generations to come.