The Chamber Is Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

Suyash Gupta
Senior Manager, Global Health Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Chris Moore
Executive Director, Global Health Advocacy, Better World Campaign

Published

January 10, 2025

Antimicrobial resistance—the ability of a bacteria, virus, fungi, or parasite to resist the effects of a drug—has evolved into a global health crisis.

When microorganisms develop resistance to the drugs designed to kill them, routine treatments are rendered ineffective. In our modern medical era, AMR prolongs hospital stays, increases healthcare costs, and drives higher mortality rates. As AMR does not recognize borders, this global issue has become a domestic health security priority. Fortunately, the U.S. public and private sectors are uniquely positioned to help.

This was the clarion call from Varnee Murugan, executive director of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Initiative on Health and the Economy, during a Congressional briefing hosted by the U.S. Chamber, the United Nations Foundation, and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. The event on Capitol Hill drew leaders from government, industry, and academia, all urging lawmakers to take stronger action against AMR, among the most pressing threats to U.S. public health.

Amid the discussion, four key insights stood out:

1. American leadership can curb this crisis.

"Continued American leadership is essential to move the needle." - Lauren Diamond, panelist and Senior Manager, Rare Disease & Hospital, Global Policy & Public Affairs, Pfizer

Panelists discussed a number of barriers to progress, among them, the persistence of public misconceptions about antibiotics, and emphasized the need for greater healthcare education. Surveillance efforts, such as wastewater monitoring, hold promise but face logistical and regulatory hurdles. Additionally, understanding the complex nature of AMR — with hundreds of resistance patterns across different bacteria — requires sophisticated data analysis.

Congress, however, offers powerful opportunities for hope. U.S. lawmakers have an outsized role in driving initiatives against AMR. The 118^th Congress introduced the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act, a bipartisan bill that incentivizes the development of new antimicrobial drugs through a subscription-style model, as well as funding and grants. The PASTEUR Act also authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to build a strong partnership of public and private sector stakeholders, patients, and subject matter experts through the creation of the Committee on Critical Need Antibiotics. Through sustained funding and strategic policies, Congress can save lives and position the U.S. as the global leader in the fight against AMR.

2. Invest in innovation, America’s superpower.

Every $1 USD invested in global health research and development returns $405 USD in life-saving benefits, a staggering statistic underscoring how technology plays a pivotal role in addressing AMR—especially here in the U.S., the world leader in medical innovation.

Empowering healthcare innovators requires strategic investment and incentive. By reducing regulatory burdens in R&D, the U.S. can spearhead the development of new antimicrobials, vaccines, and diagnostic tools essential for combating AMR. These innovations include enhanced surveillance systems, which can detect outbreaks and resistance patterns early, enabling rapid response. Innovations in diagnostic tools can also allow healthcare providers to tailor treatments more precisely, reducing the misuse of antibiotics. In addition, vaccines continue to serve as one of the most effective ways to prevent infections, reducing the need for antibiotics altogether.

3. Inclusive partnerships are at the heart of innovation.

"Countries must commit to ambitious targets, like reducing AMR deaths by 10% annually. But those goals won’t be achieved without public-private partnerships and sustainable financing to ensure long-term commitments.” - Justin Cormier, panelist and director, WHO Office in Washington, DC

Public-private partnerships are key to addressing a challenge as complex as AMR, and must span not only industries but also national borders. Partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization can be instrumental in convening countries and stakeholders, facilitating the development of national and international action plans and driving global initiatives combating AMR.

4. Human health is directly tied to animal and environmental health; we have to approach the problem as an ecosystem.

“Reducing the need for antimicrobials in both humans and animals leads to less use and less AMR development in humans, animals, and the environment, thus creating a positive net effect across sectors.” – Dr. Paul Plummer, panelist and dean of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.”

AMR impacts human, animal, and environmental health, making a holistic “One Health” approach essential. Antibiotics are used across agriculture, medicine, and plants, creating a web of interdependencies that must be carefully managed. Addressing AMR requires recognizing these connections and implementing solutions benefiting all systems without causing unintended consequences.