Britain should champion vital work on antibiotic research was the message Kevin Hollinrake sent to colleagues in the House of Common recently. The MP for Thirsk and Malton spoke up during Prime Minister’s Questions to urge the Government to become global superheroes by funding much needed research into growing resistance to antibiotic drugs.
The MP asked to meet David Cameron to discuss the problem so he could tell him more about the new work being done by a charity based in North Yorkshire.
“Antibiotic Research UK, situated in my constituency, is the world’s first charity to tackle antimicrobial resistance, which is a looming global danger of disaster-movie-style proportions. Will the Prime Minister agree to meet me to see how we can fund this vital research, so that this time it is not the Americans who save the world but the British?”
In reply the Prime Minister told Mr. Hollinrake about the British Government’s conversation with the Chinese Government on funding for future research. Speaking in the House the Prime Minister said,
“I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend, who is absolutely right to raise this issue. Owing to the growing resistance to antibiotics, which in many cases now do not work, we face a genuine medical emergency around the world. That is why Britain must put this issue squarely on the G20’s agenda; why it was a large part of our discussions with the Chinese during their state visit last year; and why we are investing £50 million in an innovation fund, working with the Chinese Government to take it forward. I hope that the organization in my hon. Friend’s constituency can benefit from some of this research.”
Kevin Hollinrake has had several meeting with representatives from Antibiotic Research UK both in Westminster and in the constituency. He has also been asking the Health Department to look at how the Government might fund such organisations in the charitable sector. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Jane Ellison, has agreed to meet with Mr. Hollinrake.
Antibiotic Research UK is based in York. The Charity was registered with the Charity Commission in July 2014. It involves UK university and company scientists and clinicians all with an interest in antibiotic resistance antibiotic drug development. The Most Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, is the Charity’s Patron.
The MP for Thirsk and Malton will continue to support the work being done by the charity, and is pleased that the matter of antibiotic resistance is being seriously looked at by the Government.
“Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest global challenges for public health, making routine operations impossible within 10 or 15 years unless action is taken. I welcome the Government’s recognition of the importance of the problem. Antibiotic Research UK is at the forefront of this issue and its work is invaluable for our country and internationally. Without the expertise of those involved there will be serious consequences for the health of British citizens and people around the world. I feel strongly that my colleagues in Parliament and I need to support this charity’s work. Because new medicines need to be used as a treatment of last resort, the usual research and development models used by pharmaceutical companies do not work. We urgently need to develop new funding models and invest in the charitable sector to deliver solutions.”