Antimicrobial resistance: from global agenda to national strategic plan, Thailand.

Viroj Tangcharoensathien,Wanchai Sattayawutthipong,Richard Brown,Angkana Sommanustweechai,Wantanee Kanpravidth,Sukhum Kanjanapimai

doi:10.2471/blt.16.179648

Abstract

ProblemIn Thailand, antimicrobial resistance has formed a small component of national drug policies and strategies on emerging infectious diseases. However, poor coordination and a lack of national goals and monitoring and evaluation platforms have reduced the effectiveness of the corresponding national actions.ApproachOn the basis of local evidence and with the strong participation of relevant stakeholders, the first national strategic plan on antimicrobial resistance has been developed in Thailand.Local settingBefore the development of the plan, ineffective coordination meant that antimicrobial resistance profiles produced at sentinel hospitals were not used effectively for clinical decision-making. There was no integrated system for the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, no system for monitoring consumption of antimicrobial drugs by humans, livestock and pets and little public awareness of antimicrobial resistance.Relevant changesIn August 2016, the Thai government endorsed a national strategic plan on antimicrobial resistance that comprised six strategic actions and five targets. A national steering committee guides the plan’s implementation and a module to assess the prevalence of household antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance awareness has been embedded into the biennial national health survey. A national system for the surveillance of antimicrobial consumption has also been initiated.Lessons learntStrong political commitment, national ownership and adequate multisectoral institutional capacities will be essential for the effective implementation of the national plan. A robust monitoring and evaluation platform now contributes to evidence-based interventions. An integrated system for the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance still needs to be established.

Highlights

Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious security threat to global health
Discussion of antimicrobial resistance at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2016 led to a political declaration that endorsed the implementation of the global action plan using a One Health approach.[5,6]
Local setting In Thailand, the widespread availability of antibiotics from private pharmacies leads to frequent self-medication in households, no systems exist either to monitor the human consumption of antibiotics or to assess the general public’s knowledge and perceptions of – or attitudes towards –antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance

Summary

Lessons froLmessontshfroem field the field

Antimicrobial resistance: from global agenda to national strategic plan, Thailand. Problem In Thailand, antimicrobial resistance has formed a small component of national drug policies and strategies on emerging infectious diseases. Poor coordination and a lack of national goals and monitoring and evaluation platforms have reduced the effectiveness of the corresponding national actions. Approach On the basis of local evidence and with the strong participation of relevant stakeholders, the first national strategic plan on antimicrobial resistance has been developed in Thailand. Local setting Before the development of the plan, ineffective coordination meant that antimicrobial resistance profiles produced at sentinel hospitals were not used effectively for clinical decision-making. Relevant changes In August 2016, the Thai government endorsed a national strategic plan on antimicrobial resistance that comprised six strategic actions and five targets. An integrated system for the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance still needs to be established

Introduction

Local setting

Relevant changes

Findings

Выводы Для эффективной реализации национального плана