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The UK government on Thursday (8 May) launched a new plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global issue that makes infections difficult or impossible to treat. This is the second phase of a series of 5-year national action plans, aimed at supporting the government's 20-year vision to contain and control AMR by 2040. With the launch of this new national action plan, the UK commits to reducing its use of antimicrobials - such as antibiotics, antifungals and antivirals - in humans and animals. Additionally, it aims to strengthen surveillance of drug-resistant infections before they emerge and incentivise industry to develop the next generation of treatments. There are also plans to expand initiatives such as the world-first 'subscription model' for antimicrobials, launched in 2019 as a pilot.

According to the National Health Services (NHS)'s new mandate, pharmaceutical companies seeking to participatign its Antimicrobial Product subscription model must certify to the BSI Kitemark for minimised risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) This move is part of the NHS's strategy to tackle the growing global threat of AMR by ensuring that antibiotic manufacturers adhere to stringent environmental controls. The NHS antibiotic subscription model is the first of its kind globally, offering pharmaceutical companies a fixed annual fee based on the value and availability of their antimicrobials to the NHS, rather than the quantity consumed. The innovative approach aims to stimulate the development of new antibiotics while addressing the environmental impact of their production. The NHS antibiotic subscription model is a ground-breaking incentive program as the first in the world to pay companies a fixed annual fee for antimicrobials based on the value of the drugs to the NHS, and their availability, instead of the volumes used.