On August 31, 2022, Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), the Embassy of Denmark in Tokyo, the Denmark Ministry of Health, the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the AMR Alliance Japan held an expert meeting on “Combating Together against Silent Pandemic: AMR.”

Denmark is known as the world’s first country to establish a biobank and is home to many world-leading life science companies. In addition to having a thriving livestock industry and making significant contributions in the area of global health, Denmark has also taken a leadership role in the field of AMR, taking part in various efforts alongside Japan

At this meeting, Mr. Magnus Heunicke, Health Minister of Denmark, and Mr. Eiji Hinoshita, Assistant Minister for Global Health and Welfare, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) Japan, participated in a lively discussion among multi-stakeholder groups from the industry, government, academia, and the private sector.

The day began with an introduction of examples of good practices in Japan and Denmark by governments, research institutions, private companies, private foundations, and public-private partnerships. Possibilities for further collaboration were also discussed.

During a panel discussion held in the latter half of the day, various points were raised, including those listed below

• The promotion of data-based health management is a necessary component of AMR countermeasures. Data-based health management initiatives should not start with the construction of a data platform specialized for AMR, but rather, should promote the construction of a data platform that can be optimized as a whole, based on a bird’s-eye view of the entire infectious disease control and healthcare systems, and on the premise of international collaboration.
• A multilayered collection mechanism for AMR-related information, including specific information on viruses and bacteria, should be established.
• Public understanding is an essential component of AMR countermeasures. Good practices and lessons learned regarding public awareness should move forward internationally.
• Current market mechanisms do not function in favor of the research and development of new antimicrobial agents, and as such the introduction of pull-incentives is essential. International cooperation, where information on pull-incentive measures is regularly shared between countries, is required.
• AMR countermeasures are not limited to the promotion of research and development; they also include the expansion of access to drugs, testing equipment, and supply networks by low- and middle-income countries, human resource development, the establishment of testing systems, and medical treatment. Furthermore, due to a wide range of stakeholders, a platform for inclusive discussions is still needed.
• AMR is an urgent issue not only in the human domain but also in the animal domain. Experts in the medical and health fields should continue to actively advocate the promotion of the one-health approach.
• International collaboration is essential for all of the above perspectives on AMR control. In the future, Japan and Denmark should continue to work together and take leadership with other countries in the G7, G20, and various platforms on global health.

In order to promote AMR measures, the HGPI will continue to contribute to the development of domestic policies and international collaboration through the activities of the AMR Alliance Japan, for which it serves as the secretariat.

 

[Event Overview]

• Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022, 13:30-15:30 JST
• Venue: Global Business Hub Tokyo
• Language: English
• Co-host: Danish Ministry of Health, Royal Danish Embassy in Japan, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan, AMR Alliance Japan and Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI)

 

[Program]

13:30-13:35 Welcome and Keynote Remarks “Danish Initiatives in AMR and beyond”

• Magnus Heunicke (Health Minister, Denmark)

13:35-13:40 Keynote Remarks “Japan’s Initiatives in AMR and beyond”

• Eiji Hinoshita (Assistant Minister for Global Health and Welfare, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) Japan)

13:40-14:30 Presentations from Experts

Presenters:

• Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen (President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Novo Nordisk)
• Naoko Katagiri (Senior Marketing Manager, Ambu)
• Norio Ohmagari (Director, Disease Control and Prevention Center; Director, AMR Clinical Reference Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital Japan (NCGM))
• Takuko Sawada (Director and Vice Chairperson of the Board, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.)
• Robert Skov (Scientific Director, International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance (ICARS))
• Motoyuki Sugai (Director, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID))
• Tetsuji Umeno (Director, Primary Care Business Development, HUP Business, Sysmex Corporation)
• Henrik Ullum (Chief Executive Officer at Statens Serum Institut (SSI))
• Akihiko Fujie (Senior Science Coordinator, Division of Strategic Planning and Evaluation, Department of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, East Japan Office, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED))
• John Paul Pullicino (Vice President, Developed Asia and General Manager Japan, Pfizer Hospital Business, Pfizer Japan Inc.)

14:30-15:30 Roundtable Discussion by Experts

Agenda 1: Tangible Actions in AMR Policy (Market Mechanism / Screening)
Agenda 2: One Health Approach
Agenda 3: Global Collaboration for Future

Moderated by Ryoji Noritake (CEO, Board Member, HGPI)