Project Syndicate: How to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance
Jörg Reinhardt, chair of the Novartis Board of Directors

“Two weeks ago, G20 leaders committed to working together to address one of the world’s most pressing and perplexing security threats: antimicrobial resistance (AMR) … Each G20 country has promised to start implementing national plans to fight AMR in earnest, and to do more to promote new treatments against resistant microbes. To that end, G20 leaders are calling for an international ‘R&D Collaboration Hub’ to ‘maximize the impact of existing and new antimicrobial basic and clinical research initiatives.’ And they have promised to explore how market incentives can be used to encourage new research. … The G20’s national action plans will, we hope, help us to meet these commitments. But political leaders, too, must marshal the will to turn words into action. We urgently need more resources to monitor resistance, stronger incentives for R&D, and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure widespread access to accurate diagnoses and quality medicines. The world cannot afford to lose the fight against AMR. Winning it will require large-scale public-private cooperation, underpinned by political leadership that makes global public health a top priority” (7/20).

Devex: Opinion: How to generate increased investment to tackle antimicrobial resistance
Paul Schaper, executive director for global policy at ‎Merck Sharp & Dohme

“…To ramp up antimicrobial R&D, innovative financing solutions that will incentivize sustained investment in this field are needed. The current model fails to provide a sufficient economic return to spur the level of R&D investment that society needs. … Given the unique challenges of the antibiotic market, governments have a role to facilitate conditions to enable a sustainable environment for investment in antimicrobial R&D. … I’m encouraged by the strides made recently to bring the critical issues of antimicrobial resistance to the forefront and the robust engagement of the private sector. … The global community must seize this moment and act to ensure a future where, even in the face of the ongoing microbial evolution, we continue to enjoy the health and economic benefits of having effective antimicrobial treatments. With the support of key stakeholders across the globe to stimulate antimicrobial R&D and advocate for innovative financing models, I am confident that we will” (7/19).