AMR

What is AMR?

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. As a result, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death[1].

What are the impacts of AMR?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a recognized threat to global public health and a leading cause of death worldwide[2]. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens impacts our ability to treat common infections and to perform life-saving medical procedures. Furthermore, antimicrobial-resistant infections impact the health and welfare of animals and the health of plants, reduce productivity in farms, and threaten food security1.

An estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR in 2019, including 1.27 million directly attributable deaths[3].

How are Canadians affected by AMR?

Nearly 15 people in Canada per day were estimated to have died as a result of antimicrobial-resistant infections in 2018. The costs to the healthcare system and Canada’s GDP are significant and estimated to be $1.4 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, in 2018[4].

CAHS

What is a Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) assessment?

Assessments involve understanding what we know and—more importantly—what we do not know about the science underlying an issue within Canadian health care. These assessments define questions that remain unanswered and establish a holistic view of complex issues by examining the validity of the science informing them. They are grounded on the CAHS’ underlying mission: conducting strategic, unbiased, and expert collaborative reports, based on transparency and independence.

Why is the CAHS leading this work?

The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences has completed assessments on other key issues where there is interest in a pan-Canadian approach. The most recent assessment was on  the health workforce and prior to that on autism and dementia. CAHS was selected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to conduct this assessment on AMR/AMU.

Is the panel influenced by specific groups and/or specific views?

No. Panel members make a commitment to be open to the ideas of others. CAHS brings together experts in an unbiased, transparent, and independent way to provide evidence-based reports that are meant to inform policymakers.

Engagement

Who will the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences consult with for this assessment?

CAHS will engage and consult with federal, provincial and territorial government and industry representatives including animal agricultural associations (i.e. cattle, poultry, swine), consumers, producers (farmers) and veterinarians.

How can I get involved?

We appreciate your interest. To learn about upcoming opportunities for involvement, join our mailing list by emailing AMR-RAM@cahs-acss.ca. We will update this page as opportunities become available.

About the Assessment
Updates
Engagement Process
Press
Biographies

 [1]  World Health Organization, 2023. Antimicrobial Resistance. [Online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance

[2] World Health Organization, 2018. Antimicrobial resistance. The Seventy-second World Health Assembly. [Online] Available at: https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA72/A72_R5-en.pdf

[3] Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators, 2022. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet; 399(10325): P629-655. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0

[4] Public Health Agency of Canada, 2023. Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. [Online] Available at: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/drugs-health-products/pan-canadian-action-plan-antimicrobial-resistance/pan-canadian-action-plan-antimicrobial-resistance.pdf