Written question asked by Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 August 2020. It was answered by Lord Bethell (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 August 2020 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Antimicrobials: Drug Resistance

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to fund research into antimicrobial resistance following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU; how such funds will be allocated; and who will allocate these funds.

Answer: The United Kingdom Government funds domestic research into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the UK Research and Innovation research councils and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR also supports AMR research for the primary benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries, using Official Development Assistance funding, as does the Department directly through the Global AMR Innovation Fund. These investments will continue after the end of the transition period. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including AMR. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. It is not usual practice for the NIHR to ring-fence a proportion of its budget for research into particular topics or conditions.

Secondary information