National One Health Strategy against Antibiotic Resistance.

This National Strategy provides a framework for strong and coordinated efforts across sectors to combat antibiotic resistance. The strategy contains five goals for the reduction of antibiotic use and the prevention of resistance among humans and animals: Goal 1: A prudent use of antibiotics to reduce the incidence of resistance; Goal 2: Greater efforts to prevent infections and to facilitate antibiotic alternatives; Goal 3: Enhanced knowledge to improve targeted measures; Goal 4: Information and guidance on resistance and transmission; Goal 5: A strong international cooperation to minimise the development of antibiotic resistance.
Under the Goal 1, the primary focus should be on the reduction in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and critically important antibiotics, to maintain the low level of antibiotic resistance in Denmark. Antibiotics should only be used by humans and in animals when necessary. The Danish consumption of antibiotics in both humans and animals must be kept at a low and responsible level. To achieve Goal 2, the National Strategy proposese that antibiotic consumption shall be reduced by preventing infections among humans and animals, and improved hygiene and increased use of vaccines will assist in reducing the need for antibiotics. Improved animal health can help to reduce the consumption of antibiotics. This can be carried out through better management of the livestock, better hygiene, better diagnostics, and the preventive use of vaccines to avoid diseases. Goal 3 emphasises that measures in the field of antibiotics and resistance must be based on solid scientific knowledge, which is continuously enhanced through systematic surveillance and research. National and international surveillance must be applied and expanded in pace with new knowledge of antibiotic resistance and consumption. More research is needed to understand how to reduce the consumption of antibiotics, including research on alternatives to antibiotics, in order to prevent antibiotic resistance. Goal 4 focuses on dissemination of knowledge regarding a more prudent use of antibiotics and linkage to resistance. Under Goal 5, the National Strategy seeks to continue the active efforts to promote cooperation with other countries in combating antibiotic resistance on a global level, including sharing Danish experiences with other countries, while also supporting and implementing international strategies and action plans.