WTO, WHO, WIPO Host Discussions On Antimicrobial Resistance In October

Antimicrobial resistance has been described as a major threat to public health, as infections, even minor, might become killers again, if no new antibiotics are discovered. In October, the World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and World Trade Organization will join forces for a symposium organised to discuss how to foster innovation, and access.

A Joint Technical Symposium on “Antimicrobial Resistance: How to Foster Innovation, Access and Appropriate Use of Antibiotics?” will be held on 25 October at WIPO.

Antibiotic resistance, although occurring naturally as microbes become resistant to treatment, is said to worsened by overuse or misuse of antibiotics. Another factor accounting for the lack of private sector innovation seems to be that once a new antibiotic is found, it must be used sparsely in order to keep microbes from developing resistance, an approach that runs contrary to successful commercial markets.

The symposium “will offer a forum to exchange views and experiences, to achieve a better understanding of the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance and to envisage possible ways forward,” according to the WIPO website.

The agenda [pdf] for the day includes introductory remarks by WIPO Director General Francis Gurry, WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo, and WHO Special Representative for Antimicrobial Resistance Keiji Fukuda.

Also expected to speak at the event is Jim O’Neill, chair of the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, which provided the high-impact report, “Tackling Drug-Resistant Infections Globally: Final Report And Recommendations” [pdf].

The agenda includes three panels: Fostering access and appropriate use; Business models for antibiotic innovation; and Trade policy in support of antimicrobial access and stewardship.