GAO reports on federal antibiotic resistance efforts

The Government Accountability Office today recommended certain actions to enhance federal efforts to monitor and address antibiotic resistance.

Among other actions, GAO said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should develop a plan for timely reporting of antibiotic resistance in priority pathogens, and the Department of Health and Human Services should develop a strategic framework to incentivize development of new treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. It also said the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Task Force should include in its annual updates to the president plans to address barriers to fully implementing the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and House Energy and Commerce committees requested the report.