World Post: Superbugs: Why We Need Action Now
Monique Eloit, director general of the World Organization for Animal Health; Margaret Chan, director general of the WHO; and José Graziano da Silva, director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization

“…In September the United Nations General Assembly will debate how best to tackle [antimicrobial resistance (AMR)], only the fourth health issue ever to be considered by the U.N., after HIV, noncommunicable diseases, and Ebola. Heads of state will be asked to make serious commitments to combat AMR and to mandate action across many government sectors, including human and animal health, food, agriculture, trade, and foreign affairs. Policymakers, health workers and patients, farmers, veterinarians, and food producers need to work closely together to use antimicrobial drugs more responsibly. But the September meeting will be an empty gesture if it is not accompanied by decisive action. Real change requires effective public policies, legislation, multisectoral collaboration, and new drug development. AMR is a global health emergency that must be stopped now” (9/14).