On June 2, 2015, the White House held a first-of-its-kind forum on antibiotic stewardship with representatives of more than 150 major food companies, retailers, hospitals and organizations from across the country. These individuals are involved in the development, promotion, and implementation of antibiotic stewardship activities that ensure the responsible use of antibiotics nationwide. Lance B. Price, PhD, a professor of environmental and occupational health at Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, participated in the forum. The forum is part of the president’s National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria that directs Federal departments and agencies to take action to improve prevention, detection, and control of resistant pathogens over the next five years. As part of the event, attendees made commitments to implement changes over the next five years to slow the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, detect resistant strains, preserve the efficacy of our existing antibiotics, and prevent the spread of resistant infections.
During the forum, Price announced the launch of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center (ARAC) in the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. The center, led by Price, will be focused on reducing antibiotic resistance worldwide. ARAC will devise innovative solutions to combat antibiotic resistance, uniting cutting-edge science, creative communications and evidence-based policies that will preserve the utility of antibiotics for future generations. The center and its research lab will be housed in GW’s newly-opened Science and Engineering Hall—a $275 million, 500,000 square-foot interdisciplinary research facility with state-of-the-art research space.
“It was an honor to attend the White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship and announce GW’s role in combating antibiotic resistance via the launch of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center,” Price remarked. “We look forward to collaborating with the administration, other stakeholders and the American people in finding the most effective ways to combat the global health crisis of antibiotic resistance.”
View the White House Fact Sheet on Antibiotic Resistance, which includes a link to the Administration’s National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.