FDA Unveils Plan to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

At least 2 million Americans a year contract an antibiotic-resistant infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, resulting in 23,000 deaths. Developing new antibiotics and using them appropriately is essential to slowing the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. So what can the U.S. do to safeguard public health amid the growing threat of these superbugs?

On Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. EDT, The Pew Charitable Trusts hosted Dr. Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as he announced the agency’s plans to combat antibiotic resistance. Following Gottlieb’s remarks, a panel of FDA senior officials explored the agency’s new and ongoing activities to support antibiotic innovation and ensure that antimicrobial drugs are used according to good stewardship practices in human medicine and animal agriculture.

During the event, get insights, statistics, and commentary—and join the conversation—by following #FDAatPew on Twitter with @PewHealth.

Get expert insight from the following FDA experts:

• Scott Gottlieb, M.D., commissioner.
• Edward Cox, M.D., M.P.H., director, Office of Antimicrobial Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
• William Flynn, D.V.M., M.S., deputy director, science policy, Center for Veterinary Medicine.
• Steven Gitterman, M.D., Ph.D., deputy director, Division of Microbiology Devices, Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
• Carolyn Wilson, Ph.D., associate director, research, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.