The Potential Socio-economic Impacts of Antimicrobial Resistance in Canada

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing problem across the world. According to the World Health Organisation, AMR is present in every country and its impacts range from lengthier hospital stays to an increased mortality rate post-surgery. How can we prepare for the spread of AMR and what are the potential impacts on our lives and economy? Those were the questions posed by the Canadian Council of Academics (CCA), who approached Birmingham City University and the RAND Corporation to develop a predictive model that would quantify the potential costs of AMR in Canada.

READ FINAL report on funder's page and from BCU Repository here.

Researchers

Erez Yerushalmi

Project details

Project Duration: July 2018 – May 2019

(Partners) RAND Corporation: Marco Hafner and Jirka Taylor

Research background

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a rising global health threat.

Patients who are affected by drug-resistant pathogens are at risk of increased infections, longer hospitals stays, and even death. Even common infections become less treatable with available drugs. However, despite the rising risk of AMR, only a few new antimicrobial agents are being developed.

The aim of this research is to assess the economic cost of rising antimicrobial resistant organisms on the Canadian economy and its healthcare system.

Research methods

Birmingham City University (BCU) teamed-up with RAND Corporation. We are developing a dynamic, multi-country, computable general equilibrium (CGE) model that focuses on the Canadian economy. The model will simulate various AMR scenarios that alter the effective-labour supply, trade patterns, production, and other mechanism in the economy.

Lead by CCA, a panel of experts is guiding this research. Experts come from the healthcare and health economics fields. The panel is chaired by Dr. B. Brett Finlay, O.C., O.B.C., FRSC, FCAHS, Peter Wall Distinguished Professor at the University of British Columbia. For a complete list of panel members (see Expert Panel page).

Funder

This project is funded by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), on behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Read more here.

Outcomes:

READ FINAL report on funder's page and from BCU Repository here. Its aim was to give policy-makers more transparency about future investments in AMR research. Using the data from this model, policy makers can use an evidence-based approach to plan for the future, giving them reliable data on which to make investment decisions into further research or strategies to mitigate the spread of AMR.