Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use: A Pan-Canadian Framework for Action.

The Framework outlines the context and lays the foundation for collaborative actions to be taken by all sectors to address the effects of antibiotic resistant bacteria on humans, animals and the environment in Canada. The Framework will first focus on the human and animal health aspects of AMR. As actions advance in these areas, the environmental aspect will be considered to fully reflect the One Health approach. Although all types of antimicrobials (e.g. antifungal, antivirals, antiparasitics) are critical for treating infections, the primary focus of the Framework is on bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
The Framework consists of four core components: Surveillance (Strong, integrated surveillance systems are needed to provide a comprehensive picture of AMR and AMU to contain the spread of resistant organisms and reduce AMR and AMU, standardized infection prevention and control approaches, programs and policies must be in place); Stewardship (Programs and policies that highlight education, awareness raising as well as professional and regulatory oversight will be required to reduce inappropriate prescribing, dispensing and use of antimicrobials in humans and animals and to conserve the effectiveness of new and existing antimicrobials); Research and innovation (Responses to AMR must be evidence-based and will require increased knowledge, innovative tools and collaborative approaches to better understand resistance and the development of new treatments and strategies).
To enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems, the Plan proposes several interventions, these include: surveillance programmes that entails the collaboration and participation of farmers and industry stakeholders to share and analyse AMR and AMU data in a timely manner to guide action; antimicrobial stewardship programmes that integrates perspective, aligns actions and appreciate the importance of good on-farm management practices of farmers and livestock producers.