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FIND’s intervention statement at the plenary session on the Global AMR R&D Hub during the second G20 health working group meeting

Delivered by Krithika Raghavan, FIND, Senior Manager, Advocacy and Communications
9 April 2024, Brasila, Brazil

Thank you, Chair.

We commend the Presidency for prioritizing AMR as part of the G20 agenda. Testing is key to controlling the spread of AMR and preventing further escalation. Without diagnostics we lack the information we need to understand the true burden of AMR and develop effective prevention and control strategies.

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant setbacks in the fight against AMR, it also enabled progress in diagnostics that will remain critical to mitigating the AMR emergency including access to new molecular platforms, strengthened cooperation and information sharing across the public and private sector which streamlined access to biological samples that are essential for the development of new tests, and increased capacity for genomic sequencing, especially in LMICs. However, these advances require sustained investment and focus from policymakers and health professionals to support global efforts to curb AMR and protect the efficacy of antimicrobials for as long as possible.

As others have mentioned, we must strengthen research and innovation to combat AMR, promote equitable access to medical countermeasures addressing AMR, support a One-Health approach, and embed the AMR response in initiatives to address the impact of climate change. Thus, FIND asks that the following be considered:

  • First, no new antibiotics should be approved without a stewardship strategy and companion diagnostics to ensure safe and effective use of these antibiotics. Initiatives like pull mechanisms must be encouraged to incentivize the development of companion diagnostics.
  • Second, equitable access to fit-for-purpose tests in LMICs must be prioritized. We must invest in developing point-of-care, rapid diagnostics for use in low resource settings that can reduce diagnostic turn-around time and ensure patients receive the treatment they need.
  • And finally, the importance of the One Health approach in the management of AMR has been highlighted by many delegations. Strengthening laboratory capacity and using digital tools for data collection would be vital for national action and to mitigate the impact of AMR.

FIND has been working with partners to increase access to testing for AMR related infections at the primary care level, improve diagnosis in hospitals for drug-resistant infections and support the development of digital tools to strengthen AMR surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship. Leveraging our experience, FIND is committed to supporting the G20 and the Global AMR R&D Hub in the fight against AMR.

Thank you.