On the evening of March 20th, DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (“DSP”), a global leader in the production of sustainable antibiotics, will host its second public-private dialogue on combating antimicrobial resistance (“AMR”) during DCAT Week 2018 in New York. The event brings together key thought leaders and industry executives, including a few high profile speakers, to share progress and next steps in the fight against AMR.
DSP first initiated the event during the annual DCAT (Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association) forum in 2017, with the aim to create a platform for facilitating public-private dialogue among the signatories of the Industry Roadmap for Progress on Combating AMR and other relevant industry stakeholders on the implementation of the Roadmap objectives. Due to the success of the first event, it was decided to make it an annual tradition.
Karl Rotthier, CEO at DSP: “AMR is still spreading faster than actual progress on the ground. Our role and next steps in fighting AMR are crucial, and will determine both our future and that of generations to come. If we want to come out as winners, more parties need to join, and for those already involved in the fight, we must speed up action in achieving actual on the ground progress. This is where I see the importance of our dinner event: to connect, to exchange views, share progress and to support and inspire each other. I am excited as well as honored to see that so many key thought leaders and industry representatives share my take on this and that for the second time I am witnessing such high executive engagement from both private and public perspective”.
This year’s dialogue focuses on progress made since the formalization of the AMR Industry Alliance in May 2017, of which DSP is board member. The Industry Alliance measures progress made on the Roadmap’s objectives. It is one of the largest private sector coalitions set up to provide sustainable solutions to curb antimicrobial resistance, with over 100 biotech, diagnostics, generics and research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations joining forces.
During the evening a few keynote speakers will share their views on combating AMR and the role of the pharmaceutical industry to foster further discussions between the participants, strengthen common efforts and spark possible next steps and new collaborative initiatives. Topics addressed are connected to the AMR Industry Alliance themes of reducing environmental impact from manufacturing, improving access to (high-quality) antibiotics, promoting appropriate use and investing in R&D to meet public health needs.
Dr. Jayasree Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation, will speak about the industry’s growing role in addressing appropriate access to antibiotics, the fragmented and challenging market for antibiotics including possible incentivized solutions, the role of biotechnology and generic medicine manufacturers in innovation of new and improved products and on-ground solutions in addressing AMR. On the latest subject Dr. Iyer states: “Ensuring that antibiotics are produced in a responsible way is critical in addressing AMR. It is important that companies who produce antibiotics, have robust environmental risk management strategies, apply strong standards to manufacturing sites managed by themselves, and enforce these standards also to suppliers of API and drug products. If the biggest producers stand united about this issue, it changes the way the entire industry, including companies sourced from, need to behave.”
Dr. Lance Price, Founding Director of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center will address collaboration with non-governmental organizations and policymakers to develop science-based policies to curb unnecessary antibiotic use in people and in food-animal production. Dr. Price quotes: “Superbugs spread seamlessly between livestock and humans and travel the world as stealthy hitchhikers in people, in animals and on food products. If we’re going to avoid a future without functional antibiotics, we have to take a one-health approach and curb unnecessary antibiotic use in food animals and people globally. Achieving the goals of protecting antibiotics and feeding the world are not mutually exclusive!”
Dr. Stefan Swartling Peterson, Chief of Health at UNICEF, will share his insights on preserving antibiotics and expanding access while tackling excess use to curb AMR. “Tackling AMR effectively means strengthening health systems in low and middle income countries and requires capacity development in people and institutions”.
On the AMR Industry Alliance’s theme of reducing environmental impact from manufacturing, Alliance Manufacturing work stream lead Steve Brooks, VP EHS at Pfizer, contributes by sharing the latest progress and objectives on the subject: “Alliance companies, particularly those that made bold commitments in the Roadmap, are taking action to reduce the potential impacts of antibiotics manufacturing on AMR. Roadmap signatories have shared their knowledge, expertise and experience to develop and publish a common framework for managing antibiotic discharge and have committed to start to apply it across their internal manufacturing and supply chain by the end of 2018”.
DSP’s Position
As a member of the AMR Industry Alliance, DSP is committed to reducing environmental impact from antibiotics production, promoting appropriate use, increasing access to high-quality antibiotics, and stimulating (new) partnerships and public-private collaboration to curb AMR. DSP has been vocal on the harmful impact of irresponsible production related to the further spread of AMR since 2014. As global leader in the production of sustainable antibiotics, DSP uses its proprietary patented enzymatic biotechnology, protected by 450 patents, excluding the use of harmful solvents and significantly reducing air emissions. The green production technology is combined with all year round 24/7 dedicated wastewater treatment and antimicrobial activity tests to minimize the release of antimicrobial activity into the environment.
DSP is also a member of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative, a group of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies who share a vision of better social, environmental and economic outcomes in the communities where medicines including antibiotics are produced and bought.
Through her partner- and memberships, including public-private collaborations, DSP, amongst others, aims to help develop and establish discharge standards for antibiotics and good practice methods to reduce the environmental impact of antibiotic discharges.
About DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals
DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP) is the global leader in sustainable antibiotics, next-generation statins and anti-fungals. DSP develops, produces and sells intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products. Our employees worldwide work together to deliver cutting-edge generics solutions that help to keep customers ahead of the competition.
Headquartered in Singapore, the group has manufacturing sites and sales offices in China, India, Egypt, the Netherlands, Spain, the USA and Mexico. DSP is a 50/50 Joint Venture of Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, and Sinochem Group, a Fortune 500 enterprise.