Antibiotic resistance
The Commonwealth Government response to the report of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (JETACAR)
The Commonwealth Government's response highlights the need for a coordinated and balanced approach to better manage the use of antibiotics in humans and food producing animals. It makes recommendations for an antibiotic resistance management program focussing on both animal and human use of antibiotics.
Published by Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
August 2000
Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are difficult to treat with first-line antibiotics and are often associated with increased morbidity, increased time in hospital and higher mortality rates. The JETACAR report (released in October 1999) made recommendations for an antibiotic resistance management program focussing on both animal and human use of antibiotics. The Commonwealth Government Response to the Report of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotics Resistance (JETACAR) constitutes a joint response to the JETACAR report by the Departments of Health and Aged Care and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia. It highlights the need for a coordinated and balanced approach to better manage the use of antibiotics in humans and food producing animals. The report's recommendations are supported by recent calls by the WHO to reduce world consumption of antibiotics. The document provides terms of reference for a new National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Expert Advisory Committee to assist in developing the management program.