MANILA, Philippines, 24 November 2015 - Honourable Secretary of Health;
Officials from the Department of Health and other agencies;
Representatives of professional and civil society groups;
Ladies and gentlemen:
It is an honour to be here for the launch of the Philippine Action Plan to combat antimicrobial resistance with the One Health, One Nation approach.
The discovery of antimicrobials is one of the biggest miracles of modern medicine.
But microbes are adapting and building resistance to these medicines faster than we can develop new and effective antimicrobials.
Every time a pathogen develops resistance, our ability to save lives suffers.
We know what the world was like before antimicrobials. We DON'T want to go there.
Already, the social and economic consequences of this problem are staggering.
Since 2013 the World Economic Forum has warned that antibiotic resistance is a top global risk that can cause significant negative impact for countries within the next 10 years.
World leaders now recognize that widespread resistance to commonly used antimicrobials is a global health security threat. No single country or organization can take it on alone.
That is why the World Health Assembly called on all Member States to adopt national action plans on AMR over the next two years – as part of the Global Action Plan on AMR.
In October, G7 leaders also made major commitments to adopt and support implementation of not only their own, but also other countries national plans.
Under the Global Health Security Agenda, countries are also strengthening collective efforts through the AMR Action Package.
These initiatives are encouraging. But we still need better coordination and strengthened commitments from all countries to work together urgently for an effective global response.
Countries must commit to partnerships with other nations, international organizations and civil society. Efforts must cut across all sectors of society.
WHO is ready to move forward with integrated approaches between WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
We also work closely with the Global Health Security Agenda to ensure consistent and effective responses to this global challenge.
Despite our efforts, antimicrobial resistance continues to compromise our ability to control and cure infectious diseases.
If unchecked, AMR can undermine many successes of modern medicine – from cancer therapy and surgery recovery to the care of newborn babies and their mothers.
As you know, resistance is driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals.
To address this problem, we must correct common vices —such as easy over-the-counter access to drugs, the non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials in livestock, and overprescribing by drugs, often because of pressure from patients.
We must use every opportunity to bring all sectors and stakeholders together under the One Health approach to control and manage the use of antibiotics.
The time has come for governments and regulators to make tough but necessary decisions.
At the same time, we need to find innovative, economic incentives to promote the research and development of new antibiotics and diagnostics.
Governments must act collectively to stimulate innovation in the private and public sector with support from international and philanthropic organizations.
I congratulate the Philippine government and President Aquino on taking action to establish the Interagency Committee on AMR and the launch this multisectoral action plan. I commend your effort and expertise.
In fact, the Philippines is among the first five countries in the Region to have a robust national action plan to tackle this problem.
Your commitment and leadership will drive the change in people's thinking and behaviour regarding antibiotics.
Your efforts will contribute to protecting the health and well-being of the people of the Philippines and the entire Western Pacific Region.
We hope more countries follow your lead and do their part to tackle this global threat. We must handle these critical medicines with care so they will remain effective for as long as possible.
As always, WHO will continue working with you to protect future generations from the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Again, I would like to congratulate the Philippines Interagency Committee on AMR and the Department of Health for leading the development of the national action plan and maintaining vital collaboration between responsible agencies.
Thank you.