Enhancing Spain’s AMR National Action Plan | Download in English | Descargar en español
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, adapt and multiply in the presence of medications that once impacted them. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that resistant bacteria infect almost two million people in the European Union (EU) yearly, leading to 30,000 annual deaths. AMR rates continue to increase. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a Global Action Plan (GAP) on AMR. However, recent reviews highlight that most national AMR strategies are underfinanced and/or are insufficiently aligned with the GAP goals and guidelines.
The objective of this document is to review and analyse Spain’s AMR National Action Plan (NAP). It aims to identify gaps, assess alignment with the WHO Global Action Plan, and offer recommendations for improvement.
To assess the NAP, a modified assessment tool developed by the European Commission in the Overview report Member States’ One Health National Action Plans against Antimicrobial Resistance was used. Using the tool, a qualitative analysis was carried out in which the presence or absence of indicators was determined. If indicators were apparent, the quality of the measures was assessed using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) criteria.
After an analysis of the finding, we then go on to give recommendations for Spain, covering the following areas:
- National strategy and action plan
- Intersectoral coordination and governance
- Awareness and training
- Antibiotic use and resistance monitoring
- Research and investment programmes
- Availability of antimicrobial agents
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