The global COVID-19 pandemic, not only spotlighted the impact of infectious diseases on human health, but also affected the continuity of antimicrobial stewardship efforts, by, inter alia, spurring over-prescribing, overuse and self-medication, the scale and effect of which are still unknown. And patients can, and need to play bigger role in this fight, because appropriate antimicrobial use – is everybody’s business. It is critical to consider and employ the existing capacity, expertise and outreach of patient and civil society organisations in reinforcing the AMR efforts, and thus ensure achievement of SDGs and UHC 2030.  

In 2021, IAPO P4PS Observatory is initiating the AMR Patient Alliance to amalgamate patient-led efforts worldwide with a vision of a world where human-induced antimicrobial resistance is eliminated. Our hope is that the AMR Patient Alliance will give voice to patients in every Member State, and also empower them for sustaining the efficacy of antibiotics – for as long as possible, for as many patients as possible.