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EXPERT GROUP ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Background, composition, objectives, activities, documents and members

Background

Antimicrobial resistance in micro-organisms is a global health problem that has an increasing impact on public health worldwide due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans, animals and agriculture and inefficient hygienic routines in the health care sector. Despite the magnitude of the resistance problem, little progress has been made recently in research and development regarding new antibacterial agents effective against resistant strains.

To meet this growing challenge an emphasis needs to be put on multi-sectoral coordination, strengthening the surveillance of antibiotic resistance, strategies for the rational use of antibiotics, the surveillance of antibiotic consumption, infection prevention and control, the promotion of innovation and research on new drugs and technology and raising awareness. The Declaration concerning the establishment of a NDPHS emphasizes the prevention of major public health problems as one of the priority areas of the Partnership and it pays special attention to the issue of antibiotics resistance. From mid-2010 to October 2015, activities in this area were fostered by the then Task Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. The meeting documents of this group can be found here.

Following the adoption of the NDPHS Strategy 2020 and the Action Plan accompanying it, which define objectives, results and linked to them concrete activities, in October 2015 the NDPHS Committee of Senior Representatives (CSR) renewed the mandate of the Expert Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR EG) by adopting new Terms of Reference for it and tasking it with the facilitation and implementation of the Objective 2: Contained antimicrobial resistance – through inter-sectoral efforts supporting the implementation of regional and global strategies and/or action plans as specified in the NDPHS Strategy 2020.

Finally, the Expert Group will, together with other bodies of the NDPHS, contribute to achieving the Horizontal results defined in the Action Plan accompanying the NDPHS Strategy 2020.

Composition

The AMR EG is comprised of high-level experts who come from national ministries and agencies of Partner Countries and Organisations, medical institutions, the research community, NGOs and other relevant parties. The Expert Group’s work is led by the Lead Partner (Sweden), supported by the Co-Lead Partner (Germany). The list of the members of the AMR EG is provided further down.
 
All eligible stakeholders are welcome to provide input to the AMR EG’s current and future activities. External experts are also invited to participate in the group’s meetings, as appropriate.

Aims and functions

In accordance with the above mentioned Declaration concerning the establishment of a NDPHS, under the guidance of the CSR, an Expert Group may have an advisory role and/or provide professional input to the preparation and implementation of joint activities carried out within the framework of the Partnership. Also, the Declaration permits Expert Groups to “facilitate professional exchanges, increase co-ordination among Partners and Participants and monitor joint activities within their area of expertise.” Consistent with these provisions, the Expert Group has the following functions:

• Exchange information and knowledge about best practices to assist the partner countries in achieving the objectives defined in the NDPHS Strategy 2020;
• Use available statistical and epidemiological information from official sources to assist decision makers and contribute to the achievement of the objectives defined in the NDPHS Strategy 2020;
• Identify priorities, needs for support in developing policies and gaps in their implementation;
• Initiate projects, provide when possible, support in planning, monitoring and dissemination of results;
• Provide the Partnership website/database/newsletters with information concerning the Expert Group’s work;
• Provide feedback and report on progress to the CSR;
• Co-ordinate its activities with other NDPHS structures, relevant groups and international networks in areas of mutual interest in a manner that promotes synergies and avoids the duplication of efforts and supports the achievement of objectives included in the NDPHS Strategy 2020;
• Contribute to proper discharging of the Partnership’s responsibilities as the Coordinator for the Health Policy Area in the Action Plan of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region together with other NDPHS structures, as appropriate;
• Be open to innovate and employ new methods of work to improve collaboration between the partner countries and other relevant stakeholders. Document CSR 24/9.3/1 “New approaches for future collaboration within the NDPHS” can provide suggestions in this regard;
• Other relevant responsibilities, as approved by the CSR or the Partnership Annual Conference (PAC).

Activities

The Expert Group's activities follow the priorities set out in the NDPHS Strategy 2020 and the Action Plan accompanying it.

Information about the Expert Group's activities will be available soon after the first meeting of the group.

Meetings

The AMR EG holds approximately 2 meetings per year. Specific information about forthcoming and past meetings, including meeting documents and minutes can be accessed on the Expert Group meetings web page.

Calendar

View all Calendar events of relevance to the AMR EG. Learn more about other sections of our Calendar.

Progress reports

Every year the NDPHS Expert Groups prepare progress reports. These reports are prepared in accordance with the Template for monitoring and reporting of the NDPHS progress and are submitted to every autumn CSR meeting and/or PAC event (they can be download here). With reference to the NDPHS Strategy 2020 and the accompanying NDPHS Action Plan, they, inter alia, present the progress towards the agreed targets and take stock of achievements made, as well as describe further action required, obstacles encountered and, finally, the sustainability and expected long-term impact of the group’s activities.

Further information

Visit the NDPHS Database, which provides a growing number of papers (publications, newsletters, etc.) and projects, dealing with antimicrobial resistance issues. It also provides a pool of organisations and experts, which have been working in this area. The Database contains four sections. By clicking the links below, you will gain direct access to activities and expertise in the field of antimicrobial resistance in the NDPHS Database, sorted by:
 

• Papers
• Projects
• Organisations
• Persons

Please note that you can also submit your own information on antimicrobial resistance to the Database (read more).

Members 

Chairperson

Dr. Sonja Löfmark
Co-director WHO CC for AMR containment
Unit for Antibiotics and Infection Control
Public Health Agency of Sweden
Nobels väg 18
SE-17182 Solna
Sweden

Vice-Chairperson

Dr. Tim Eckmanns
Robert Koch Institute
Surveillance
DGZ Ring 1
D-13086 Berlin

ITA

Ms. Emily Sellström
Unit for Antibiotics and Infection Control
Public Health Agency of Sweden
Nobels väg 18
SE-17182 Solna
Sweden

Estonia

Ms. Liidia Dotsenko
Health Board of the Republic of Estonia

Alternate(s)

Ms. Marge Truu
Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia

Finland

Ms. Jaana Vuopio
National Institute for Health and Welfare
P.O. Box 30
FI-00271 Helsinki

Alternate(s)

Mr. Jari Jalava
National Institute for Health and Welfare
Kiinamyllynkatu 13
FI-20520 Turku

Germany

Alternate(s)

Ms. Muna Abu Sin
Robert Koch Institute
Surveillance
DGZ Ring 1
D-13086 Berlin

Latvia

Ms. Ieva Voita
Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Duntes iela 22
LV-1005

Alternate(s)

Ms. Inga Liepina
Ministry of Health
Brivibas 72
LV-1011

Lithuania

Ms. Rolanda Valintelienė
Institute of Hygiene
Didžioji str. 22
LT-01128 Vilnius

Alternate(s)

Ms. Loreta Ašoklienė
Institute of Hygiene
Didzioji str. 22
Vilnius

Ms. Akvile Kenstavičienė
Institute of Hygiene
Didžioji str. 22
LT-01128 Vilnius

Norway

Mr. Ulf Dahle
Specialist Director - Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance
Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Postal address: PB 222 Skøyen, N-0213 OSLO
Visiting address: Lovisenberggata 8

Poland

Dr. Katarzyna Piekarska
Laboratory of Bacteriology Department
Department of Bacteriology and Biocontamination Control
National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene
Chocimska 24 str., 00-791 Warsaw, Poland

Russia

Cooperation suspended until
further notice.

World Health Organisation

Dr. Danilo Lo Fo Wong
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Marmorvej 51
DK-2100 Copenhagen

Alternate(s)

Dr. Saskia Nahrgang
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Marmorvej 51
DK-2100 Copenhagen

Poland

Alternate(s)

Ms. Anna Ziółko
National Medicines Institute