ABPI response to antibiotic development scheme

The Department of Health has announced that a scheme to kickstart the development of new antibiotics by offering to pay pharmaceutical companies upfront for their work will start this week. 

In response to the announcement, ABPI Chief Executive Richard Torbett said: 

“COVID-19 has shown the importance of having the medicines and vaccines the world needs. Today’s timely announcement provides a much needed refocus on AMR. 

“The UK is the first country in the world to put forward a new idea to ensure the right antibiotics are available to patients when they need them. But for the scheme to be a success it is essential that the right incentives are in place for companies to continue the research into new antibiotics.

“AMR is a global issue that the UK cannot solve alone, but this is a step in the right direction.”