How law can help solve the collective action problem of antimicrobial resistance

Hoffman, Steven J.; Bakshi, Reema; Rogers Van Katwyk, Susan

Second, because interlocking action is needed on access, conservation, and innovation, a new international law can facilitate bargaining and tie together action on all three. Third, action on AMR is costly, such that each party must make the strongest commitment possible in order for the other parties to be prepared to do the same. Finally, the benefits of action on AMR are long term, which means that we require countries to lock in their commitment, and we need mechanisms to disincentivize deviation. This is especially important considering that the costs of conserving antimicrobials and promoting antimicrobial innovation are born in the short term.