Last week, Helen attended a Fleming Initiative event titled ‘Nobel Prize to Now’ during World AMR Awareness Week, which commemorated Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin and subsequent Nobel Prize ahead of the 80th anniversary next month.
The event, which opened with an address from the Prince of Wales, consisted of a series of panels and talks led by leading experts reflecting on growing global efforts to tackle AMR and the innovations which can aid in the fight. There was an emphasis on building on this global momentum by fostering partnerships and increasing awareness across populations about this emergency.
In this vein, Lord Darzi, who followed His Royal Highness’ speech, quoted Fleming himself through his original warning of the ‘ignorant man’ — who misuses antibiotics unthinkingly but without malice. This casual attitude to Fleming’s warning has directly led to our current predicament and must be combatted in part by educating physicians, children and the general public. Lord Darzi stressed that it is not too late to turn a corner in this battle, adding that our knowledge of the consequences of inaction can help us to create solutions and avert disaster.
Danny Chambers MP, the leading voice on AMR in the House of Commons, echoed the peer’s message. He emphasised that we cannot ignore the severity of AMR’s threat to public health, national security and the economy, and there must be greater understanding among the public and the media.
Helen was seated next to former Chancellor and Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, throughout the event and she was able to speak to him, alongside Lord Darzi, about utilising diagnostics to fight AMR. We look forward to embodying the spirit of the event going forward by building upon the connections forged on the day, whether in academia, other organisations or in Parliament, to combat AMR together.
