The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first global research agenda to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that outlines 40 research priorities.

An estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR in 2019. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis is particularly pervasive, with an estimated 450 000 new cases of rifampicin- and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in 2021.

The research agenda was developed after a review of over 3,000 documents published over the past decade and is divided into prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, as well as cross-cutting issues. 

Prevention includes basic issues such as improved access to clean water and sanitation. Diagnosis identifies a long list of tests needed to fast-track the identification of drug resistance. Treatment and care focus on encouraging stewardship of antibiotics by pharmacists and health workers.

“To help preserve antimicrobials and save lives and livelihoods, this research agenda is a crucial tool for researchers and funders to prioritize research questions, and promptly and efficiently generate evidence that informs policy,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Assistant Director-General for AMR. 

“This first research agenda from WHO will provide the world’s AMR researchers and funders with the most important topics to focus on and give the world its best chance to combat AMR,” added Dr Silvia Bertagnolio, Head of the WHO AMR Division.