Antimicrobial resistance: information

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time. This means medicines like antibiotics stop working against them. 

When this happens, infections become harder or impossible to treat. This increases the risk of serious illness and death. 

Why antimicrobial drugs matter 

Antimicrobial drugs include: antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. They prevent and treat infections and reduce infection risks during medical procedures. Without effective antimicrobials, these procedures would be much riskier.  

 Find out more about what you can do about AMR on NHS Inform.  

A global threat 

The World Health Organisation has said AMR is one of the top 10 threats to global health. Research shows that in 2019, 4.95 million deaths worldwide were linked to bacterial AMR. 

AMR can spread through humans, animals, the environment and the food chain. It can move between countries. 

To control it, we need a 'One Health' approach. This means working together on: 

• human health 
• animal health 
• reducing AMR spread through the environment 
• food safety 

In 2015, The World Health Assembly adopted the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.  The UN General Assembly built on this plan, committing to take immediate action to tackle AMR in 2024. We work with partners to achieve these goals.  

What we're doing to tackle AMR 

We work with the UK Government and devolved governments to address AMR. The current National Action Plan on AMR 2024 to 2029 (NAP) is in place.  

The UK plan focuses on: 

• reducing the need for antimicrobials and accidental exposure to them 
• using antimicrobials in the best way 
• investing in innovation, supply and access 
• being a good global partner 

We are meeting these goals by working with experts in human health, animal health, the environment and the food supply to implement the NAP and ensure that antimicrobials remain effective for use in the future.  

Organisations: 

• Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) 
• ARHAI Scotland (within NHS National Services Scotland) 
• Public Health Scotland (PHS)  
• NHS Education for Scotland (NES)  
• Scotland's Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)  

Resources: 

• Confronting Antimicrobial Resistance (2024-2029): UK 5-year Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance 
• Scottish Government AMR Public Awareness toolkit 
• Containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance: An education framework for health and social care in Scotland  
• Scottish One Health AMR Research register
• Scotland’s National Infection Prevention and Control Manual 
• Pathogen Genomics in Scotland  
• Scotland’s Wastewater Monitoring Programme: 3-year Strategic Plan - Publications - Public Health Scotland