[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 72323-72324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29628]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 72323]]


                Proclamation 9367 of November 13, 2015

                
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The discovery of antibiotics marked an important 
                medical moment in history, and for decades, antibiotics 
                have served as crucial components of our fight against 
                bacterial infectious diseases. Saving millions of lives 
                around the world each year, antibiotics provide an 
                effective method for treating patients and help us 
                combat many diseases that were at one time considered 
                fatal. However, their overuse and misuse has created 
                bacteria with increased levels of antibiotic 
                resistance, posing significant challenges to countering 
                infectious disease. We must preserve the life-saving 
                power of antibiotics so they will work when most needed 
                for serious infections and for generations to come. 
                This week, we recommit to raising awareness of 
                antibiotic-resistant bacteria--a serious public health, 
                economic, and national security threat--and we pledge 
                to use antibiotics safely and responsibly.

                Every year, more than 2 million people in the United 
                States are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, 
                and over 23,000 people die as a direct result of these 
                infections. The use of antibiotics is the biggest 
                contributing factor to antibiotic resistance, and up to 
                half of all antibiotics prescribed for humans are not 
                needed or are not administered as effectively as 
                possible. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics 
                continue to obstruct our fight against bacterial drug 
                resistance, leading to a loss of the efficacy of 
                existing antibiotics. And to fully address antibiotic 
                resistance, we must recognize that the health of 
                humans, animals, and the environment are more connected 
                than ever before.

                My Administration is committed to preventing infections 
                and improving the ways in which antibiotics are 
                prescribed and used--an effort that could save tens of 
                thousands of lives in the next few years alone. Last 
                year, I signed an Executive Order to implement measures 
                aimed at detecting, preventing, and controlling 
                illnesses caused by antibiotic-resistant infections 
                here at home and across the globe. This action will 
                help stem the emergence and proliferation of bacteria 
                resistant to antibiotics and ensure the continued 
                availability of effective treatments for bacterial 
                infections. This Order also directed the development of 
                a Government-wide, 5-year National Action Plan for 
                Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, which is 
                designed to accelerate actions to address urgent and 
                serious drug-resistant threats that can affect all 
                people. The plan enhances our efforts to slow the 
                spread of resistant bacterial infections, strengthens 
                our work to combat resistance, advances the ways we 
                identify and characterize resistant bacteria, supports 
                the research and development of new diagnostic tests 
                and treatments, and bolsters collaboration with 
                international partners to create a coordinated system 
                for international surveillance. To build on this 
                comprehensive effort, we convened a White House Forum 
                on Antibiotic Stewardship earlier this year, bringing 
                together health, business, academic, and agricultural 
                leaders to promote the responsible use of antibiotics 
                in humans and animals. By ensuring antibiotics are used 
                carefully and only when needed, we can help safeguard 
                the health of our people and people around the world.

                The United States has the ability to lead a new era in 
                health care. Antibiotic stewardship in science and 
                medicine requires working with global partners,

[[Page 72324]]

                and it demands that we provide the tools and resources 
                necessary for individuals to use antibiotics safely and 
                effectively. Throughout this week, let us rededicate 
                our attention toward the effects of the misuse and 
                overuse of antibiotics, and let us reaffirm our support 
                for those striving to combat antibiotic-resistant 
                bacteria.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 16 through 
                November 22, 2015, as Get Smart About Antibiotics Week. 
                I call upon the scientific community, medical 
                professionals, educators, businesses, industry leaders, 
                and all Americans to observe this week by promoting the 
                responsible use of antibiotics and raising awareness of 
                the dangers inherent to their misuse and overuse.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-29628
Filed 11-17-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P