European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2012:

On 18 November, the annual European Antibiotic Awareness Day was marked by a publication containing the latest data in relation to antibiotic resistance and consumption in the EU. The Commission takes a holistic approach to the issue, problem, as set out in its 2011 Communication on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This action plan includes 12 key actions involving many different sectors: human medicine, veterinary medicine, research, animal husbandry, agriculture, environment, trade and communication. It aims, over a period of five years, to substantially reinforce existing good practice and to introduce a new set of rigorous measures to prevent the further spread of resistance and preserve the ability to combat microbial infections. 

For more information: 

Latest ECDC data: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/eaad/Pages/EAAD2012-multimedia-news-release.aspx

EU health policy: http://ec.europa.eu/health/antimicrobial_resistance/policy/index_en.htm

EU health research policy: http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/infectious-diseases/antimicrobial-drug-resistance/index_en.html