Report shows environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for research and development, Noel Grealish has today (June 11) launched a report entitled 'Ireland's First Gap Analysis Report on Research needs in Relation to Antimicrobial Resistance'.
Minister of State Grealish launched the report alongside the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor.
The report by researchers from Maynooth University provides a comprehensive review of previous and ongoing research in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across human and animal health in the Republic of Ireland from 2017 to 2023.
It also provides an update on research in relation to the environmental dimension of AMR in an Irish context from April 2021 to December 2023.
According to DAFM, antimicrobial resistance or AMR is a global threat and an urgent challenge.
It poses a significant risk to human health and requires a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to promote actions across the human, animal and environmental sectors to achieve the best health outcomes for all three sectors.
Report
Ireland has adopted a cross departmental 'One Health' approach to AMR, led by the Department of Health and DAFM.
The report shows that Irish researchers have been to the global forefront of ongoing research on AMR.
However, Irish research requires considerable expansion in research areas for novel diagnostics/therapeutics and vaccines.
The report also indicates that Irish research needs to focus on providing solutions or alternatives to the identified AMR problems to minimise the impact of AMR to human, animal, and environmental health.
Minister of State Grealish said: 'This timely report highlights the need for more research that examines One Health in its entirety, in relation to the complexity of the intersectoral interactions and how these interactions contribute to AMR.
'In a world of increasing uncertainty, complexity and change, a One Health approach is crucial to safeguard the interests of society as a whole,' the minister added.
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