If AMR has been an emerging issue for a number of years, why is Health Canada only responding now?
Due to the complexity of the issue it was essential that we establish the capacity required to address AMR. We now have the specific expertise and competencies in place. We have established an infrastructure to collect new data that will be essential to the development of AMR policies and action plans. Health Canada’s Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) is leading the federal interdepartmental efforts on both the science and policy aspects of Antimicrobial Resistance and has carefully reviewed comments received from stakeholders on the final Report of the Advisory Committee on Animal Uses of Antimicrobials and Impact on Resistance and Human Health. VDD’s proposed response to the 38 recommendations contained in this Report was released in December 2002. Prior to making final decisions on the implementation of any of the recommendations put forward by the Advisory Committee,VDD is planning to hold a consultation process early in 2003 to ensure that stakeholders views are taken into consid
