This House of Lords Library Briefing presents recent developments in UK and EU strategies to address antimicrobial resistance, and examines three areas in which the UK’s exit from the EU may affect the addressing of antimicrobial resistance.
Leaving the EU: Antimicrobial Resistance (346 KB , PDF)
There are multiple areas where the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union may affect how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is addressed. AMR is a global health issue, with strategic coordination occurring at several levels to address the issue—from the World Health Organisation, to the EU, and in the UK’s national health strategy. The World Bank has predicted that, globally, AMR will lead to increases in morbidity and mortality, increase the burden on healthcare systems, increase extreme poverty, and that it could inflict heavy losses on the global economy.
Access to the latest effective antibiotics is important for the treatment of patients and the mitigation of resistance development, and may be affected by changes in the development and regulation of new medicines—both of which pose particular challenges with regards to antimicrobials, and especially antibiotics. The UK has been heavily involved in medicine development and regulation in the EU, and the European Medicines Agency is currently based in London (though it will relocate to Amsterdam following the UK’s departure from the EU). The UK Government has stated that it wishes to continue to participate in the European Medicines Agency under new arrangements that recognise the UK will not be a member state.
Trade agreements regarding food and agriculture have been highlighted by commentators as presenting both risk and opportunity in the context of AMR. Responsible antimicrobial use on farms is a key issue for AMR, and whether the UK maintains or reduces regulation in this area may be dependent on future trading arrangements. Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, has stated there should be no compromise on animal welfare and environmental standards, and that the high levels of antibiotic use in agriculture in the United States are a concern. The UK Government has argued that being outside the EU Common Agricultural Policy would provide the freedom to apply higher animal welfare standards.
A key part of the EU’s strategy against AMR is the development of epidemiological surveillance infrastructure across the member states. The UK Government has proposed continued close collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control including access to alert systems, databases, and networks.
Leaving the EU: Antimicrobial Resistance (346 KB , PDF)
While international attention has largely been focused on the Middle East and Ukraine, the civil war in Sudan continues. The UN has characterised the conflict as the “world’s largest hunger crisis”. As peace negotiations stall, concerns are rising not only for the people of Sudan but also about the conflict spreading to neighbouring states.
Between 1970 and the early 1990s, over 30,000 NHS patients were given blood transfusions, or treatments made using blood products, which were contaminated with hepatitis C or HIV. Over 3,000 people have since died, and thousands more live with health conditions. The infected blood inquiry called for immediate compensation, public memorials, and for lessons to be learned in medicine, government and the civil service. In August 2024 the government set out plans for compensation.
In November 2023, the Harrington review of foreign direct investment made recommendations about how the UK could attract more cross-border investment. The new Labour government has said tackling barriers to investment is a priority.
