On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) held a meeting titled “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)” in the Training Hall of its Main Building in Riyadh. The event brought together experts and researchers to discuss recent developments in the field, emphasizing the roles of relevant entities in developing monitoring and surveillance strategies and identifying effective solutions to existing challenges.

The meeting addressed three key topics: an overview of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the SFDA's role in combating AMR, and the contributions of relevant stakeholders. It also featured sessions on the role of reference laboratories in addressing AMR, the classification of antibiotics in veterinary medicine, and the monitoring of AMR in the food chain.

Representatives from the SFDA, relevant entities, university students, and researchers attended the meeting to contribute to raising awareness in this critical area.

Notably, the SFDA has launched an awareness campaign on antimicrobial resistance, highlighting its efforts in this domain and providing several tips on how to effectively address this issue.