Consultation on proposals

BSAC will issue a formal response to this consultation. Members who wish to comment can do so by completing and returning this comments form via email to: fdrummond@bsac.org.uk by 5pm Friday 11 September 2023.

See below for more details:

Overview
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global challenges we face this century. Already, AMR infections are estimated to cause 700,000 deaths each year globally. That figure is predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050 if no action is taken. The World Bank estimates that, across the globe, an extra 28 million people will be forced into extreme poverty by 2050 unless AMR is contained.

The UK Government has recognised AMR as a global problem and committed international action to tackle it as a priority issue, focussed on antibiotic stewardship and infection prevention and control. The scale of the AMR threat, and the need to contain and control it, is widely acknowledged by governments globally, international agencies, researchers, and private companies alike.

In July 2019, NHS England and NICE launched a pilot project, which was the first in the world to pay companies a fixed annual fee for antimicrobials based primarily on a health technology assessment of their value to the NHS, as opposed to the volumes used. This pilot project followed the UK Government’s national action plan for AMR which included the commitment to lead the way in testing solutions that address this market failure of companies not investing in the development of new antimicrobials.

Following the success of the pilot, the NHS is consulting on proposals for a subscription style contract that will be used to expand this approach to more antimicrobial products. People can respond to the consultation directly online or using questions in annex A of the consultation document.

Supporting documentation:
• Antimicrobial Products Subscription Model (consultation document)
• Antimicrobial Products Subscription Model (guidance on commercial arrangements)
• Antimicrobial Products Subscription Model (model contract from pilot project)
• Antimicrobial Products Subscription Model (product award criteria)