WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the White House proposal to double federal funding to combat antibiotic resistance, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – the author of legislation to strengthen the federal response to so-called “super bugs” – released this statement:

“To combat antibiotic resistance, it’s important that we leverage the best in medical expertise, stewardship, and technological innovation,” Brown said. “This unprecedented proposal underscores the importance of taking a comprehensive, wide-ranging approach to tackle this issue. I look forward to continuing to work with federal agencies, research institutions, and health care providers to combat this threat to America’s health.”

Today, the White House announced plans to nearly double the amount of federal funding dedicated to combating and preventing antibiotic resistance to more than $1.2 billion. The announcement follows an Executive Order in Sept. 2014 launching federal efforts to address this issue.

Brown has been working to combat antibiotic-resistant infections, which affect more than two million Americans each year. In 2014, Brown introduced the Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (STAAR) Act, which would strengthen the federal response to antibiotic resistance by promoting prevention and control; tracking drug-resistant bacteria; and supporting enhanced research efforts; as well as improving the development, use, and stewardship of antibiotics. Brown will reintroduce similar legislation this year.

Brown’s bill would also establish an Office of Antimicrobial Resistance (OAR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide greater leadership, coordination, and accountability between the entities involved in combating drug resistance. By providing for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to the antibiotic resistance crisis, the STAAR Act represents a critical first step toward resolving what has become a major public health crisis.

Specifically, the STAAR Act would:

  • Promote prevention through public health partnerships at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments;
  • Track resistant bacteria by improving data collection and requiring reporting;
  • Improve the use of antibiotics by educating health care facilities on appropriate antibiotic use;
  • Enhance leadership and accountability in antibiotic resistance by reauthorizing a task force and coordinating agency efforts; and
  • Support research by directing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to work with other agencies and experts to create a strategic plan to address the problem.

In Sept. 2014, Brown convened a roundtable of Ohio stakeholders from private industry, education, public health, and Ohio hospitals to discuss the growing issue of antibiotic resistance and ways to combat this public health crisis.

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