Bulgaria hosts roudtable on the draft National programme for prevention of antimicrobial resistance and prudent use of antimicrobial agents

On 28 September 2016, the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Bulgaria organized a roundtable discussion on the draft National programme for prevention of antimicrobial resistance and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is currently one of the WHO/Europe Member States that has not yet implemented a national action plan for the control of AMR. A joint effort from the representatives of the government and healthcare authorities is needed to prepare an effective programme and action plan for the upcoming years.

The draft text of the National programme 2017-2022 on Antimicrobial resistance was presented, the purpose of which is to synchronize the implementation of a national strategy for the rational use of antibiotics and surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Bulgaria in accordance with the recommendations and requirements of WHO and EU, limiting the free sale and unindicated use of antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary medicine and agriculture and ensuring the surveillance of antibiotic resistance via modern criteria for rational antibiotic policy (microbiological, pharmacological and therapeutic).

It aims at reaching a consensus between the Government authorities, medical institutions, producers and business in the understanding of the critical importance of the problem of the increasing resistance of the infectious diseases agents to antimicrobials and its impact on the health of the individual and the nation, including adverse social and economic aspects.

Success of the National programme in Bulgaria requires a clear division of roles and responsibilities and direct involvement of the executive authorities, medical institutions, scientific societies, the manufacturers, importers and distributors of antimicrobials, media, and NGOs.

The meeting provided a platform for discussion on the AMR programme, action plan finalization and its implementation in Bulgaria. This will be further consulted and supported by WHO and distributed for consultation to the respective stakeholders, based on the multisectoral approach.

Participants agreed unanimously that the National programme and action plan on antimicrobial resistance in Bulgaria are highly needed and to work jointly for its finalization and ratification.

The roundtable was organized by the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and the National Reference Laboratory “Control and Monitoring of Antimicrobial Resistance”.

• The event is organized with the support of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and the WHO Country Office in Bulgaria.
• Presentations on the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR and the successful experiences and effective policies for AMR containment in low-resource settings were delivered by the WHO team.