Becton, Dickinson and Company announced a collaboration with Pfizer Inc. and global charitable foundation Wellcome to better understand the role of diagnostics in advancing antimicrobial stewardship practices around the world. Building on ongoing efforts to advance the role of diagnostics in tackling the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), this collaboration will survey existing diagnostic practices to highlight both benefits and gaps in diagnostic testing in AMR stewardship to improve and further advocate for patient care, clinical practice and health care economics. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines.

These changes make infections harder to treat and increase the risk of disease transmission, severe illness and death. As the organisms that cause infections become increasingly drug resistant, even common medical procedures — including surgery, childbirth and chemotherapy — can become increasingly life-threatening.ii A continued rise in AMR could take 10 million lives globally each year by 2050 – more than currently die from cancer. The important role diagnostics can play as a tool to improve appropriate use of antibiotics is recognized by policymakers and advocates.

AMR Review — an organization commissioned by the U.K. prime minister and chaired by Lord Jim O'Neill — includes promotion of "new rapid diagnostics to cut unnecessary use of antibiotics" as one of its 10 primary recommendations.iv However, progress in implementing the AMR Review's recommendations remains slow and diagnostics remain an under-utilized resource for optimizing antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral) treatments and supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts.