Joint WHO Press Release Published
Overview
This information page explains antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a condition in which medicines stop working or become less effective because of unnecessary or inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. It states that without countermeasures, AMR-related deaths worldwide are said to reach 10 million per year by 2050, exceeding deaths from cancer. The page provides information on guides for appropriate antimicrobial use, annual One Health reports, notices and administrative communications, awareness activities, and related events.
Key points
- AMR refers to medicines becoming ineffective or less effective because of unnecessary or inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents.
- Without countermeasures, AMR-related deaths worldwide are said to reach 10 million per year by 2050, exceeding deaths from cancer.
- The information page introduces guides, annual reports, notices and administrative communications, awareness activities, and events.
Overview
The section “What Is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?” explains AMR as a condition in which medicines stop working or become less effective because of unnecessary or inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics. Because infections can spread while going unnoticed, AMR is also called a “silent pandemic.”
The page states that increasing public understanding is important to prevent the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
Details
The “Guide to Appropriate Use of Antimicrobial Agents” includes the fourth edition’s medical outpatient and inpatient sections, a section on appropriate antibiotic use for antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections, and a dental section. Previous editions, an English version, and a digest version are also listed.
The “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) One Health Surveillance” section provides the 2025 annual report and summary, reports in Japanese and English, and previous annual reports.
The notices and administrative communications section lists revisions to the contact system for Candida auris, a request for cooperation in a survey on appropriate medicine use, laboratory testing for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and other matters, and information about the fourth edition of the guide.
Awareness information includes the new fiscal 2025 video “Antibiotics Don’t Work for Colds!” and activities to promote awareness of antimicrobial resistance. Related events include a press briefing, Children’s Kasumigaseki Tour Day, and the Tokyo AMR One Health Conference.