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Combatting Resistance to Antibiotics

40/2011, 18.11.2011

The BfR calls for participation in the 10^th BfR Forum on Consumer Protection held in Berlin-Marienfelde

The European Antibiotics Day is a European initiative to promote public health. It takes place in November and aims to raise awareness for the threat posed by resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and emphasises the significance of a judicious use of antibiotics. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) invites representatives from the worlds of science, business, the public, public institutions and politics to discuss the subject at the 10^th BfR Consumer Protection Forum to be held on 23 and 24 November 2011. "A range of diverse measures can be taken to combat and prevent antimicrobial resistance", says Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, President of the BfR. "They cover everything from hygiene to a reduction in the use of antibiotics to what is clinically absolutely indispensable." The goal of the event is to establish the current stage in the ongoing efforts to limit antimicrobial resistance in order to highlight possible avenues for further action.

Infections with resistant bacteria are more difficult to treat, need prolonged treatment and can result in increased mortality rates. The knowledge about the relationship between the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance has increased and measures to mitigate the problem have already been initiated.

The European Antibiotics Day is an initiative of the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) in cooperation with EU institutions and EU member states, the World Health Organisation and many other organisations. The goal of the European Antibiotics Day is to emphasise how important a responsible use of antibiotics is by preventing an unnecessary use of antibiotics and by promoting efforts to ensure that patients take the medicine as prescribed by medical professionals.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment invites representatives from the worlds of science, business, the public, public institutions and politics to the 10th BfR Forum on Consumer Protection held on 23 and 24 November 2011 in order to thoroughly discuss the subject. On the first day of the forum, scientists working in veterinary and human medicine will present the current situation in the various disciplines. The difficulties and limitation strategies and the background to the spread of resistance will be explored. The forum will additionally provide an opportunity for cross-fertilisation between the disciplines of veterinary and human medicine. On the second day, the focus will be on end users as food consumers. Representatives of the entire food production chain will discuss possible conclusions, spheres of activity and solution approaches.

The event aims at establishing the current state of the art in the ongoing efforts to limit antimicrobial resistance in order to highlight possible avenues for future action. The event thereby makes a contribution to the German Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy DART launched by the Federal Government two and a half years ago. The BfR expects about 200 participants to take part in the event.

The programme and further information can be accessed in german language on the website of the BfR under "Veranstaltungen".

About the BfR

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientific institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

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