The National Academies Testimony before Congress

Public Laws Containing Studies for the National Academies

Briefings to Congress

Congressionally Mandated Reports

Policy Statements and Historical Documents

The OCGA staff

INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE
Division of Health Sciences Policy
Forum on Emerging Infections

******

Congressional Briefing
Thursday, May 14, 1998 - 3:00 p.m.
216 Hart Senate Office Building

on

Antimicrobial Resistance: Issues and Options

As early as 1945, scientists discovered a pathogen that had developed resistance to penicillin. Since that time, antibiotic resistance has risen dramatically, posing a threat to public health, increasing medical costs, and fueling a resurgence in pathogens that were considered under control.

Fighting the problem of antibiotic resistance will require a better, more coordinated system of surveillance, as well as an increased effort to prolong the effectiveness of existing antibiotics and to develop new drugs, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Forum on Emerging Infections. The report entitled, Antimicrobial Resistance: Issues and Options, summarizes the findings and opinions of participants at a recent workshop, and outlines options that policy-makers, pharmaceutical industry leaders, health officials, clinicians, researchers, and others may consider to combat this problem.

This briefing was for Members of Congress and/or congressional staff. The report was publicly released on May 14, 1998 and can be found, in its entirety, on the Web site of the National Academies Press.