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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
08:08
Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications
Published on: August 4, 2018
Antimicrobial effectiveness within a new paradigm of infrastructure
Tom Ashfield1, Lucy Victoria Naga2,3, Brett Frischmann4
1British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, United Kingdom.
Summary
Antimicrobial effectiveness (AME) is crucial for health and economy. Conserving AME requires a sustainable approach including infection prevention, access, stewardship, surveillance, and innovation to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Area of Science:
- Global Health Economics
- Infectious Disease Management
- Pharmacoeconomics
Background:
- Antimicrobials are vital for modern medicine and economic productivity.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) driven by overuse/misuse threatens antimicrobial efficacy.
- Poor global access to antimicrobials exacerbates AMR challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce and define Antimicrobial Effectiveness (AME) as a system.
- Frame AME as a global economic infrastructure.
- Investigate balancing AMR constraints with AME sharing benefits.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework development.
- Economic analysis of AME as infrastructure.
- Exploration of sustainable management strategies.
- Examination of economic mechanisms for AME conservation.
Main Results:
- AME is defined as clinical/microbiological efficacy and accessibility.
- AME functions as a critical economic infrastructure input.
- Sustainable management (prevention, access, stewardship, surveillance, innovation) conserves AME.
- Economic mechanisms can align contributions with AME conservation benefits.
Conclusions:
- Addressing AMR and access is key to maintaining AME.
- Framing AME as infrastructure aids action, incentive alignment, and investment.
- Cross-sectoral collaboration is essential for AME sustainability.
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