
2025–2029 National Action Plan (NAP)on Antimicrobial Resistance Ministry of Health; IcelandSkogarhlid 6 – 105 ReykjavikTel: +354 545 8700 | hrn@hrn.is Foreword One of the most important tasks of our time is to preserve the effectiveness of antibioticsfor future generations. To achieve this, extensive measures must be taken, and ambitiousgoals set in the fight against the spread of antibiotic resistance. Willum Þór Þórsson Antibiotic resistance is a growing global problem and one of the greatest health threats theworld faces today. There is a real danger that in the near future, simple and serious infec-tions may not be treatable with antibiotics. Such a situation would have extremely serioushealth and economic consequences for us here in Iceland, as well as for the entire world. While it is not possible to eradicate antibiotic resistant bacteria, it is possible to keep theirspread in check through extensive measures. These measures, which affect humans, ani-mals, food, and the environment, are referred to as the "One Health" approach. Antibioticresistant bacteria do not respect country borders and therefore the fight against antibioticresistance requires international cooperation. Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir Minister of Food, Fisheriesand Agriculture In January 2024, the working group of the Minister of Health presented recommendationsfor actions against antibiotic resistance in Iceland for the period 2025-2029. These recom-mendations were approved by the government as the official actions against antibiotic re-sistance. The actions involve numerous activities that need to be undertaken in the comingyears and fall under the responsibilities of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Food, Fish-eries and Agriculture, and the Ministry of the Environment, Energy, and Climate. Only through extensive and coordinated actions can we limit the spread of antibiotic resis-tant bacteria and thus maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations. Guðlaugur Þór ÞórðarsonMinister of Environment,Energy and Climate Table of Contents Summary5 Introduction10 Appendices31 The six actions of the Action Plan14 1. Action and Implementation Plan32 1.Promote targeted and prudent use of antibioticsin humans and animals152.Limit the spread of antibiotic resistance throughinformation dissemination, education, and prevention173.Improve knowledge of antibiotic resistance throughmonitoring and scientific research194.Contain the spread of antibiotic resistance throughintervention measures215.Increase participation in international cooperationon actions against antibiotic resistance226.Ensure coordination and management of actionsagainst antibiotic resistance in Iceland for the future23 2. Cost estimate of the action plan52 Tables Table 1. Proportion of selected antibiotic resistantbacteria (%) in humans in 2022 and goals for 202928Table 2. Antibiotic use in humans (DID) in 2022 and goals for 202929Table 3. Proportion of humans fully vaccinated (%)in 2022 and goals for 202929Table 4. Proportion of selected antibiotic resistantbacteria (%) in animals and food in 2022 and goals for 202930Table 5. Antibiotic use in animals (mg/PCU*)in 2022 and goals for 202930 Cost Estimates of Activities24 Responsible Stakeholders for Activities25 Prioritisation of Activities26 Summary Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats facing the worldtoday, and the threat is increasing each year. Although antibiotic resistanceis not as significant a problem in Iceland as it is in many other countries,antibiotic-resistant bacteria respect no borders, and the problem has in-creased here as elsewhere in recent years. It is foreseeable that increasedantibiotic resistance will cause difficulties in treating various diseases andinfections, increase mortality rates, and raise healthcare costs. International organizations have recently highlighted this danger and urgednations worldwide to join forces to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resis-tant bacteria before it is too late. Each nation is encouraged to developaction plans and set goals and benchmarks. Since the causes of antibioticresistance are diverse and interconnected, a One Health approach is en-couraged, meaning that actions need to target humans, animals, food, andthe environment. The Icelandic government's action plan against antibiotic resistance spansa five-year period, from 2025 to 2029. It includes six actions encompassing24 goals and 75 activities that need to be implemented. The activities areprioritised, and the cost of their implementation is assessed. The six actions upon which the action plan is based are: Limit the spread of antibiotic resistance through information dissemination, education, and prevention.2 Improve knowledge of antibiotic resistance through surveillance and scientific research.3 Limit the spread of antibiotic resistance through interventions.4 Increase participation in international cooperation on actions against ant