Top-level meeting in Lofoten
Norwegian prime minister Erna Solberg visited Lofoten to lay the foundation stone for STIM’s new head office and bacteriophage factory.
Solberg was present when ACD Pharmaceuticals assembled some of Norway’s leading specialists, academics and national authorities in the summer of 2020 to discuss how bacteriophages could become a sustainable and effective alternative to antibiotics for both people and animals, and how that could help to reduce threats to the environment, to curb the economic consequences of resistance, and to create new industry and jobs throughout Norway.
Participants included:
- Lars Vorland, professor emeritus dr.med
- Hans Petter Kleppen, research director, ACD Pharmaceuticals AS
- Anita Schumacher, administrative director, University Hospital of North Norway (UNN)
- Karita Bekkemellem, managing director, Norwegian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (LMI)
- Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross, general secretary, Norwegian Cancer Society
- Gaute Lenvik, managing director, Norwegian Veterinary Institute
- Anne Husebekk, rector UiT Arctic University of Norway
- Gunnar Skov, Simonsen professor, UiT and UNN
- Jim-Roger Nordly, CEO, Stim AS
Solberg challenged the participants to establish a work group to advise on how bacteriophages can be adopted as quickly as possible in the fight against antibiotic resistance, and how Norway can acquire a leading role here.
Bacteriophages – a unique opportunity in the fight against antibiotic resistance
The report is a response to the challenge from Norwegian prime minister Erna Solberg. Many opportunities are available. Success can be achieved with commitment and right instruments.
Antibiotic resistance threatens the environment, animals, food production and public health
The threat posed by antibiotic resistance cannot be eliminated, but steps can be taken to reduce its progress.
Public health and modern medicine
Decades of medical research and progress could be reversed by antibiotic resistance.
Environmental consequences
The ecosystem in water, soil and organisms is disrupted by the production and use of pharmaceuticals and their subsequent disposal.
Antibiotics consumption in Norway
Norway is among the countries with the lowest consumption of antibiotics for both humans and animals, and has little problem with antibiotic resistance today.