Sweden’s efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance – so that we can continue to treat infections in the future

Modern healthcare needs antibiotics, but reliable access to effective antibiotics is under threat, both globally and in Sweden. AMR is already causing suffering and death among humans and animals, and also has major economic consequences. If we do not take determined action now, a scenario emerges in which it will not be possible to treat common infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections or lacerations. Modern health care, including cancer care and surgery, is also threatened by infections that cannot be prevented or treated. In addition, AMR has a negative impact on animal husbandry and food production.

Situation in Sweden

The situation in Sweden regarding resistance among both humans and animals is relatively good. This is the result of longstanding active engagement in various sectors and at various levels. But since AMR is a cross-border problem, the situation in Sweden is affected by a deteriorating global situation.

Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed is the coordinating minister for this issue, which concerns several ministries and is cross-sectoral. The Government takes the issue very seriously and is working nationally and in international forums to ensure that progress is made. Since 2022, Sweden has had a special ambassador, Malin Grape, tasked with further strengthening the important global efforts to combat AMR. 

A national strategy

In February 2020, the Government adopted an updated strategy for the efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. The strategy forms the basis of Sweden’s efforts to curb the emergence and spread of AMR, and to prevent and manage its consequences. The update reflected the way conditions for combating AMR have changed in recent years in Sweden, in the EU and globally. It draws on developments that have taken place in several fields, particularly in view of the increased engagement in the UN system.

The national strategy to combat AMR was extended in November 2023 and runs until the end of 2025.

National activities

To ensure a cross-sectoral approach in Sweden, the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the Swedish Board of Agriculture have been jointly tasked by the Government to lead a national collaborative function in the efforts to combat AMR. The collaborative function has been in place since 2012, and the Government’s remit identifies 21 government agencies and five organisations that are to contribute to these efforts. At international level, the national collaborative function is seen as a model for structured, cross-sectoral cooperation. 

National knowledge management also includes the Swedish strategic programme against antibiotic resistance (STRAMA), which works with providing education about AMR and monitoring the situation regarding resistance in health care. A training course about this approach is also available in Swedish and English. 

For several years, Sweden has been developing models for how to ensure access to antibiotics. For example, on instructions from the Government, the Public Health Agency of Sweden has developed models for decoupling sales from access to antibiotics.

Research on antibiotics is important and, with funding from the Government’s research bill, several initiatives are under way with support from the Swedish Research Council. In addition, the Antibiotic Smart Sweden innovative platform provides information for various target groups. 

Collaboration in the Nordic region, the EU and globally

In view of the cross-border nature of the issue, Sweden is working for progress on the issue and to support developments internationally and within the European Union. The issue is not only high on the agenda in Sweden, it is also a priority issue for UN bodies, the European Commission and many others – and they all particularly highlight the importance of working from a One Health perspective.

In the first half of 2023, Sweden held the Presidency of the Council of the EU and led negotiations that resulted in the adoption of a Council recommendation containing objectives in this field. 
Council of the EU website: Tackling antimicrobial resistance: Council adopts recommendation

A High-level Meeting on AMR will be organised at the UN General Assembly in September 2024. The last time a meeting of this kind was held was in 2016. Sweden is working to ensure ambitious targets and strengthen accountability in the efforts to combat AMR in the joint political declaration that is expected to be adopted.

At international level, several important advances have been made in recent years, including the adoption of a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in 2015 by the WHO, and the adoption of the European Roadmap on antimicrobial resistance by WHO European Member States in 2023. 

In 2020, the UN Secretary-General established the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (GLG). The GLG’s mission is to promote increased public support and political visibility for action to combat AMR on the global agenda. Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed is a member of the group, together with senior officials, ministers and experts from around the world.

Sweden and the UK co-founded the Ministerial Alliance of Champions against Antimicrobial Resistance, which holds regular meetings to keep AMR high on the political agenda. Other members include the United States, France, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China and South Africa.

Sweden holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2024 and is organising several activities to strengthen Nordic cooperation on AMR and access to antibiotics. 

Swedish knowledge in demand

Since Sweden has longstanding structures for collaboration, follow-up, knowledge dissemination and education on antimicrobial resistance, Sweden’s knowledge in the field is in demand internationally. This has resulted in the designation of two Collaborating Centres, where the WHO has signed agreements with Swedish organisations. One applies to clinical microbiology in Region Kronoberg, which assists with bacterial determination, and the other to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, which assists with knowledge on how to limit AMR.

Through these and other forums, Sweden is working to increase its engagement on the issue, so as to ensure that all humans and animals have access to functioning antibiotics – now and in the future.