Examining The White House’s Plan to Combat Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Drug resistant bacteria cause 2 million illnesses and approximately 23,000 deaths each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The problem of resistance also limits the ability to treat patients using certain medical procedures, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and organ transplants. Last week, the Obama Administration released its National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, a multipronged approach to cut inappropriate use of antibiotics, improve surveillance, and develop new drugs. We spoke to Amanda Jezek, vice president of public policy and government relations at the Infectious Diseases Society of America, about the administration’s plan, whether it offers any new ideas, and what needs to be done to ensure its success.