OIE release their Third Annual Report on Antimicrobial Agents intended for use in Animals

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The Third Annual Report on Antimicrobial Agents intended for use in Animals is now published and includes data from 155 countries.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has published its Third Report of the OIE data collection, into which 155 countries have contributed data. The data collection, assisted through OIE delegates and the National Focal Points for Veterinary Products, has expanded since the beginning with 19% more countries involved now than in the first phase. The report provides a regional and global level analysis spanning 2015 to 2017.

The database surveillance and collection process encourages countries to engage with stakeholders and strengthen national awareness and understanding of drivers of antimicrobial resistance. Political understanding and engagement are essential to ensure that antimicrobials are used safely and sourced responsibly. Specific concerns raised through the report include the use of antimicrobials as growth promotors, though the trend is encouraging. In 2016, 110 countries did not have a regulatory framework on the use of growth promotors - this is now 72 countries.

The report also emphasises that for many countries, the process of establishing data collection systems at national level is as important as the data itself because it demonstrates their willingness to be engaged. Through the process of data collection, barriers to the collection of quality data are better understood and important lessons have been learnt and shared. The Fleming Fund's Country and Regional Grants aim to assist the establishment of national surveillance systems and further support the efforts of the OIE's data collection.