The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) explored interagency efforts to advance research and innovation in the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the 33rd Inter-agency Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance (ICAMR) Meeting and the Stakeholder Consultation for the Review of the Philippine National Action Plan for AMR 2019-2023 on 21 May 2024 at Luxent Hotel, Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

With the rise of antimicrobial resistance as a global issue, addressing ARM requires a coordinated One Health approach which integrates human, animal, plant, and environmental policies. Aligned with this, the DOST was represented by a multisectoral delegation led by DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Leah Buendia, along with representatives from the DOST – Philippine Council for Health Research Development (PCHRD) and the DOST – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD). 

During the meeting, USec. Buendia expressed the DOST’s commitment to join the mission of addressing AMR. “The Department of Science and Technology will continue  to support initiatives that will contribute to national integrated initiatives to address AMR. We will further our existing support for research on AMR to improve strategies aligned with the global action plan,” she said.

Updates on the current initiatives, policies, and commitments against AMR in the Philippines were discussed in the meeting. A stakeholder consultation was also organized by the Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) wherein member agencies were invited to provide evaluations on the implementation of the Philippine National Action Plan (PNAP) for AMR 2019-2023, insights of which will be utilized to draft the succeeding PNAP to combat AMR for 2024-2028. 

The meeting was attended by several member agencies of the ICAMR such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Education (DepEd), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The ICAMR was established in 2014 to lead the development and implementation of the National Action Plan for AMR in the country.