National Action Program against Antimicrobial Resistance 2026-2029.

The document establishes a national framework for 2026-2029 concerning antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the use of antimicrobial medicines in human medicine, veterinary medicine, food production and environmental monitoring. It defines AMR as the ability of microorganisms to resist the effects of antimicrobial agents and describes its development and transmission through genetic mutation, genetic transfer and selective pressure associated with antimicrobial use. It identifies factors associated with the spread of resistant microorganisms, including inappropriate or excessive antibiotic use, transmission between humans and animals, inadequate infection control and environmental contamination.
The Program sets out five areas of action: public and professional awareness, surveillance and research, infection prevention and control, optimization of antibiotic use, and coordination and monitoring of implementation measures. It includes targets relating to reductions in infections caused by resistant organisms, reduction of antibiotic consumption, reduction of antimicrobial sales in livestock production, increasing the proportion of antibiotics classified within the WHO “Access” category, and expanding antimicrobial susceptibility testing. It provides for coordinated activity among health authorities, veterinary authorities, laboratories, educational institutions and professional organizations.
It describes surveillance and monitoring systems at national and European level, including systems for monitoring AMR and antibiotic consumption. It addresses resistant microorganisms in humans, animals, food products and the environment, including multidrug-resistant organisms associated with hospital infections, bloodstream infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and zoonotic transmission. It also refers to resistance in food-producing animals and monitoring activities concerning zoonotic bacteria, food products, livestock production and environmental contamination.
The document provides for infection prevention and control measures in healthcare institutions, outpatient settings, livestock production and veterinary practice. These measures include microbiological monitoring, hygiene procedures, screening, isolation measures, vaccination, disinfection practices and reporting of healthcare-associated infections. Healthcare institutions are required to identify risk areas, monitor infection prevalence and assess implemented measures. In the veterinary sector, it refers to biosecurity measures, disease prevention procedures, monitoring programs and supervision of veterinary medicinal product use.
The Program sets out regulatory and administrative provisions concerning the prescription, dispensing and monitoring of antimicrobial medicines. It provides that antibacterial medicines for human use are dispensed on prescription, including the use of electronic prescriptions, and that veterinary antimicrobial medicines are subject to prescription and regulatory supervision. It also refers to pharmacotherapeutic guidance, medical standards, inspection activities, educational programs, public information measures and research relating to AMR, and provides for coordination among ministries, agencies, laboratories, healthcare institutions and veterinary authorities for implementation.