AMR is a significant threat to global health and economic development. It is a major driver of death globally, potentially accounting for more deaths than HIV/AIDS and malaria worldwide. Recent research shows that in 2019, more than 1,2 million people are estimated to have died directly from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, and the estimate grows to 4,95 million deaths when considering cases where resistant infections played a role but may not have been the direct cause of death. By 2050, it is estimated that AMR will cause more deaths than cancer.

Europe’s Leadership on AMR

In the European Union, antimicrobial resistance is responsible for an estimated 33.000 annual deaths and it costs the region 1,5 billion euros per year in healthcare costs and productivity losses. AMR is a priority for the European Commission, having established the EU One Health Action Plan in 2017 and the EU Pharmaceutical Strategy among other initiatives to address challenges and risks posed by AMR. The review of the pharmaceutical legislation is a unique opportunity to address current AMR challenges and create a future-proof regulation that ensures access to high-quality antimicrobials and reduces inappropriate use of antimicrobials through a multistakeholder approach.

Viatris’ Commitment

Viatris remains committed to addressing AMR and advancing appropriate access to antimicrobials. Fighting AMR requires a multipronged approach — access, stewardship and responsible manufacturing.

Access to high-quality antimicrobials and timely treatment is key in mitigating the rise of AMR. Viatris is a leading supplier of antimicrobials, including older antibiotics that can be valuable in treating some resistant bacteria. Viatris is committed to partnering across industry to collectively advance initiatives addressing AMR. We are a founding member of the AMR Industry Alliance, a consortium of over 100 biotech, diagnostic, generics, and research-based pharmaceutical companies to provide sustainable solutions. The AMRIA has developed the Common Antibiotic Manufacturing Framework (CMAF) and Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) targets, which member companies commit to meeting. These efforts have led to progress in advancing science-based approaches to help manage the impact of antimicrobial manufacturing, develop initiatives to enhance antibiotic stewardship and improve sustainable access to appropriate antibiotics.

In the Access to Medicine Foundation’s AMR Benchmark, Viatris was recognized as one of the top three generics manufacturers for championing appropriate access and stewardship and responsible manufacturing. We were also commended for our transparency in reporting on our environmental risk management strategy for manufacturing sites and for meeting discharge targets at our sites. The report also recognized Viatris’ strategies for expanding access, including making treatment for drug-resistant TB available in more countries than ever and ensuring a continuous supply of relevant products. We were also acknowledged for our AMR education programs for healthcare providers.

Industry progress on fighting AMR