Antibiotic Resistance (E.O. 13676)

Summary

Creates a national plan to slow the growth of drug-resistant germs, find new ways to treat infections, and improve how antibiotics are used.

What problem does this solve?

Bacteria are becoming resistant to the drugs used to fight them, causing millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths each year. This order creates a government-wide task force to track these germs, promote smarter antibiotic use, and speed up the creation of new medicines.

What does this order do?

Establishes a national task force

Creates the Task Force for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, led by the Secretaries of Defense, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services, to guide federal efforts.

Requires a national action plan

Directs the new Task Force to create a 5-year National Action Plan with specific goals and milestones for fighting antibiotic resistance.

Improves antibiotic use in hospitals

Requires federal agencies like HHS, DoD, and the VA to create rules for hospitals to start programs that ensure antibiotics are used properly and only when needed.

Limits antibiotic use in farm animals

Directs the FDA and USDA to continue working to stop the use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion in animals raised for food.

Creates a presidential advisory council

Establishes an advisory council of up to 30 members to give recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on policies to fight antibiotic resistance.

Strengthens tracking of resistant bacteria

Calls for creating and connecting surveillance systems to better track resistant bacteria in both healthcare and agricultural settings.

Promotes development of new drugs and tests

Instructs federal agencies to find ways to encourage private investment in creating new antibiotics, vaccines, and rapid diagnostic tests.

Increases international cooperation

Directs U.S. officials to work with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries on a global plan to combat antibiotic resistance.

Who does this affect?

Healthcare providers and facilities
Agricultural and food production industries
Pharmaceutical and medical research companies

What is the real world impact?

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Addresses a major public health crisis

Coordinates a national response to the growing danger of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which threaten modern medicine's ability to treat common infections and perform surgeries safely.

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Encourages development of new drugs

Pushes for private investment and government support to create new antibiotics and diagnostic tools, as the high cost and low profit of this research has slowed down innovation.

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Changes agricultural practices

Aims to stop the use of important antibiotics for making farm animals grow faster. This could face opposition from parts of the agricultural industry concerned about increased costs and changes to their operations.

When does this start?

This order became effective on September 18, 2014, and sets several deadlines for future government actions.

National Action Plan submission

The Task Force must submit its 5-year National Action Plan to the President by February 15, 2015.

Hospital antibiotic program rules

HHS, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs must propose new rules for antibiotic stewardship programs in their facilities by the end of 2016.

First annual progress report

The Task Force must provide its first update on progress to the President within 180 days of releasing the Action Plan.

Designation of international representatives

The Secretaries of State, USDA, and HHS must name representatives for international action within 30 days of the order (by October 18, 2014).