We take a closer look at one of the most urgent threats to global health today: Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR) and its consequences for Asia and Europe. As the effectiveness of our most relied-upon medicines to treat and prevent infections declines, understanding AMR has never been more critical. This episode features insights from the Technical Officer for Antimicrobial Resistance, Governance and Stewardship at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Dr Ketevan Kandelaki; the Director of the Asia Centre for Health Security at the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Professor Hsu Li Yang; and the Executive Director of UNITE, a global network of parliamentarians focused on strengthening health systems, Dr Guilherme Duarte. Hosted by Jason Gale, Health Editor at Bloomberg News, the discussion highlights why AMR is not just a scientific concern, but a pressing global health, economic and political challenge.  The podcast discusses about, inter alia, the drivers and spread of AMR, their impact across Asia and Europe, and the role of policy, politics and global accountability in addressing the emerging crisis.

Drivers and spread of AMR

Excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human medicine, animal farming and agriculture significantly accelerates resistance. Prof Hsu Li Yang from the National University of Singapore explains that overuse of antibiotics in animals can lead to resistant bacteria that transfer to humans, either directly or through genes. Poor access to doctors, availability of over-the-counter antibiotics, and inconsistent treatment amplify the risk, especially in rural or low-income areas.

Impact across Asia and Europe

Both high- and low-income countries in Asia and Europe are affected. In Singapore alone, over 1,000 deaths per year are linked to drug-resistant infections. Dr Kandelaki highlights how AMR complicates surgeries, cancer care and diabetes treatment. Ageing populations, climate change and increased mobility further intensify the risks. The economic cost is staggering over €11 billion annually in Europe due to healthcare burdens and productivity loss.

Policy, politics and global accountability

Executive Director of UNITE, Dr Guilherme Duarte stresses the political dimension of AMR. While awareness is rising, motivation for systemic policy change is uneven. Many countries have adopted national action plans aligned with the WHO’s 2015 Global Action Plan, but enforcement and funding remain critical gaps. Policies such as prescription audits, veterinary regulations, and public education need stronger backing and accountability mechanisms.

To support this, WHO is developing a Global AMR Accountability Index—a tool to track country-level progress and drive meaningful change.

Opportunities for Asia-Europe collaboration

Both regions have complementary strengths. Europe leads in regulatory frameworks and funding for R&D; Asia is advancing One Health approaches, integrating human, animal, and environmental health. The guests propose several cooperation areas:

• Joint surveillance and data sharing
• Pilot innovation projects on antibiotic alternatives (e.g., vaccines, phage therapy)
• Policy harmonisation forums to standardise AMR responses across borders

Prof Li Yang adds that European expertise in antimicrobial stewardship and Singapore’s partnerships with Scandinavian countries can offer blueprints for success in Asia.

What we can do

The panellists agree: the fight against AMR is not just for scientists and politicians—every individual has a role:

• Avoid demanding antibiotics unnecessarily.
• Follow prescriptions accurately.
• Practise hand hygiene and keep vaccinations up to date.

Final Thoughts

AMR is a silent pandemic building momentum. To stop it, we must act collectively and decisively—across continents, sectors and societies. As Dr Kandelaki puts it: “Every time we use antibiotics, we give bacteria an opportunity to become stronger.”