“Effective antibiotics are essential for modern oncology. Without them, many of the standard therapies – chemotherapy, surgery, transplants and other procedures – become significantly more risky,” said MEP Kristian Wigenin of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament during a discussion in Brussels on antimicrobial resistance and its impact on cancer treatment.

The event, which Vigenin hosted, was organized from the European Cancer Patients Europe. The topic of antimicrobial resistance often remains out of the public eye, but has direct relevance to the lives of thousands of patients. MEPs, experts and representatives of patient organisations took part in the discussion.

“When antibiotics lose their effectiveness, the safety of the entire treatment process is called into question,” Vigenin stressed. During the talk, it was discussed how the increasing antimicrobial resistance threatens the treatment of cancer patients in Europe and what policy solutions are needed.

According to the data presented, infections play a role in about half of deaths in cancer patients, with the risk increasing significantly for infections with resistant pathogens.

Vigenin noted that the European Union already has important policy instruments, including the European Cancer Plan. “It is important that antimicrobial resistance is clearly integrated into its implementation,” he said.

The MEP stressed the need for better surveillance, investment in research, sustainable incentives for the development of new antimicrobial drugs and ensuring equal access to effective therapies in all member states. He recalled that the European Parliament is currently starting work on the Biotechnology Act, an instrument that should support new research towards innovative medicines, including new antibiotics. The forthcoming Critical Medicines Act will make it possible for such manufacturing to be located within the European Union.

“Protecting the most vulnerable patients is a shared European responsibility. Only through coordinated action between Member States, institutions and the expert community can we ensure that progress in cancer treatment is not undermined by antimicrobial resistance”, underlined Kristian Vigenin.