City St George’s named WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Policy and Stewardship

This impressive recognition highlights the university’s global leadership in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research and policy development.

The new Collaborating Centre will be hosted by the Antibiotic Policy Group within the Institute of Infection and Immunity at the School of Health and Medical Sciences. Led by Professor Mike Sharland and Aislinn Cook, the Centre will work closely with the WHO to advance global action against AMR through the development and implementation of the AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification system.

Advancing global antimicrobial stewardship

The AWaRe system, developed by WHO, classifies antibiotics into three groups - Access, Watch, and Reserve - based on their effectiveness, resistance potential, and public health importance.

The new Collaborating Centre will play a pivotal role in maintaining and updating the AWaRe system, ensuring it reflects the latest scientific evidence and supports countries across the world in optimising antibiotic use.

Key activities of the Collaborating Centre will include:

• Reviewing and updating the AWaRe classification every two years, with recommendations to WHO’s AMR division.
• Supporting the continued development of the AWaRe Antibiotic Book, a global reference for optimal antibiotic treatment across healthcare settings.
• Enhancing antimicrobial use surveillance, particularly in primary care, by integrating the AWaRe system into WHO’s surveillance methodologies.
• Developing AWaRe-based quality indicators and national targets to guide optimal antibiotic use globally.
• Creating practical tools and resources to support antimicrobial stewardship at country level.

A collaborative effort

This work will be supported through major existing grants - £1.3 million from Wellcome and £682,000 from the Fleming Fund. The Centre will also continue to collaborate closely with world leaders Professors Koen Pouwels and Ben Cooper at the University of Oxford, drawing on the expertise in AMR modelling and health economics.

Professor Mike Sharland, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and lead for the new WHO Collaborating Centre, said:

This designation is a major testament to the outstanding work of our team and our commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance. We are proud to support WHO in further shaping global antibiotic policy and practice through the AWaRe system

Aislinn Cook, Co-lead of the Collaborating Centre and Senior Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, said:

City St George’s continues to lead the way in global health innovation, and this new WHO Collaborating Centre marks a significant milestone in our mission to improve health outcomes worldwide.

Learn more about the Antibiotic Policy Group