National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Humans

This national action plan, issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Health of Denmark, sets out Denmark’s strategy for addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans, with a primary focus on the healthcare sector. It builds on the 2017 National Action Plan on Antibiotics for Humans and responds to national and international evidence that AMR is a growing threat to public health, healthcare systems and economies. The plan recognises antimicrobials—especially antibiotics—as essential to modern medicine, while emphasising that all use of antimicrobials drives resistance. It frames AMR as a One Health challenge, linked to human, animal, food and environmental sectors, and aligned with existing Danish cross-sectoral surveillance (DANMAP) and the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Animals and Food 2024–2027. The document notes Denmark’s relatively low resistance levels but highlights rising multidrug-resistant organisms, increasing invasive infections, and growing medicine shortages. The plan is structured around four priority areas with 21 concrete initiatives. Under antimicrobial stewardship, it aims to reduce overall antimicrobial use, increase the share of narrow-spectrum agents, and limit critically important antibiotics. Measures include strengthening collaboration between hospitals, municipalities, general practitioners and practising specialists; a public–private pilot on rapid point-of-care diagnostics in primary care; assessing prescription requirements for topical antimicrobials currently sold over the counter; harmonising antimicrobial package sizes and leaflets with treatment guidelines; and using general practice quality clusters to promote rational prescribing. Under access to antimicrobials, the plan addresses frequent shortages and market withdrawals by exploring participation in innovative EU procurement models, developing a joint Nordic subscription-based procurement scheme for narrow-spectrum antibiotics, and exempting antimicrobials from annual marketing authorisation fees to keep products on the Danish market. The infection prevention and control priority seeks to reduce infections that require treatment, thereby lowering antimicrobial use. It introduces enhanced training in hygiene and infection prevention for social and healthcare assistants and service assistants, simplification and prioritisation of guidance materials to support frontline staff, and a Health Technology Assessment of pneumococcal vaccination. AMR will be introduced as a formal parameter in future vaccine assessments, and administrative barriers will be removed so general practitioners can better identify and vaccinate patients eligible for conditionally reimbursed vaccines. The international engagement priority commits Denmark to intensifying bilateral and multilateral AMR cooperation, appointing a High-Level Representative to promote Danish One Health solutions, supporting the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) in low- and middle-income countries, and scaling up the DTU National Food Institute’s role as a WHO Collaborating Centre. Cross-cutting initiatives include establishing a national AMR advisory group with broad stakeholder and patient representation, integrating monitoring of plan indicators into DANMAP, promoting further AMR research (including via Horizon Europe and the national research reserve), and conducting awareness and information campaigns targeting both the public and healthcare professionals. The plan is financed with DKK 130 million for 2025–2028, with additional development aid earmarked for ICARS from 2027–2030.