National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee Regulations, 2023 (L.N. 105 of 2023)

1. The title of these regulations is the National Antimicrobial Citation. Resistance Committee Regulations, 2023.

2. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: Interpretation. "Act" means the Public Health Act; Cap. 465. "antimicrobial resistance" means when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat; "AMR" means antimicrobial resistance; "Committee" means the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee established by regulation 3.

3. There shall be established a committee that shall be known Establishment of the as the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee. Committee.

4. (1) The Committee shall be appointed by the Composition of the Committee. Superintendent of Public Health and shall be composed as follows: (a) a chairperson; (b) a representative of the Chief Medical Officer; (c) a representative of the Chief Veterinary Officer; (d) a representative from agriculture; (e) a specialist in Microbiology and, or Bacteriology; Verżjoni Elettronika B 916 B 916 (f) a specialist in Public Health Medicine; (g) an environmental health practitioner; (h) a specialist in Infectious Diseases Medicine; (i) two (2) specialists in Family Medicine - one in public and another in private employment; (j) two (2) pharmacists - one in public and another in private employment; (k) two (2) veterinary surgeons - one in public and another in private employment; (l) a nurse actively involved in infection prevention and control within a hospital setting; and (m) a member from the general public. (2) There shall be a secretary to the Committee who shall be appointed by the Superintendent of Public Health. Purpose of the 5. The Committee shall serve as the national Intersectoral Committee. Coordinating Mechanism for the coordination of the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan for the Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance in Malta through a OneHealth approach. Duties of the 6. It shall be the duty of the Committee to: Committee. (a) advise the Superintendent of Public Health on measures necessary to minimise antimicrobial resistance; (b) develop and update the Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Malta through a OneHealth approach; (c) coordinate strategies to ensure continued effectiveness of antimicrobial agents used in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in humans and animals; (d) monitor the implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance through a OneHealth approach and advise on implementation actions where necessary; (e) promote effective infection prevention and control programmes within healthcare institutions; Verżjoni Elettronika B 917 B 917 (f) ensure that the impact on safety and quality of care is considered in all decisions; (g) develop and recommend strategies to comply with EU legislation as well as draw up and disseminate guidelines and standards on appropriate antimicrobial use, optimal dosing, administration and monitoring in line with accepted best practice so as to guide antimicrobial therapy as well as infection prevention and control; (h) promote effective education on antimicrobial resistance, prudent use of antimicrobial agents and antibiotic stewardship, as well as infection prevention, to professionals in human health, animal health and the general public; (i) tender all such advice as may be requested by the Superintendent of Public Health.

7. (1) The Committee shall coordinate the establishment of Surveillance. surveillance systems to analyse trends in antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial utilisation using data in human and animal health, as well as analysing healthcare associated infections caused by resistant micro-organisms or otherwise. (2) By virtue of the powers conferred by article 8 of the Act, the Committee shall act as an authorised body and collect, from any relevant entity, appropriate information concerning antimicrobial resistance, data on the consumption, distribution and dispensing of antimicrobial agents used in the treatment and prevention of infections in humans and animals, as well as incidence of healthcare associated infections and the processes needed for their prevention.

8. The Committee shall regulate its own procedure. The Committee shall regulate its own procedure.

9. (1) The Committee shall aim to have the widest possible Working groups. representation. (2) The Committee shall establish working groups on key areas covered by the National Strategy and Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. (3) Members of working groups shall be co-opted by the chairperson of the Committee, after consultation with the Superintendent of Public Health. (4) Every working group shall be chaired by a Committee member. Verżjoni Elettronika B 918 B 918 Reports. 10. (1) The Committee shall provide the Superintendent of Public Health with an annual report of its activities as well as regular updates on progress achieved and milestones reached, in the implementation of the national Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Action Plan. (2) The Committee shall also prepare and disseminate a national AMR report for Malta on a minimum biennial frequency. The report shall include all relevant data that is critical to follow the impact of the implementation of the national AMR strategy and achievement of targets within the action plan. Repeal and 11. The National Antibiotic Committee Regulations are hereby saving. S.L. 465.08. repealed without prejudice to anything done or omitted to be done thereunder. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta — Published by the Department of Information (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta Mitbugħ fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern fuq karta FSC — Printed at the Government Printing Press on FSC certified paper Prezz/Price €0.36