AMR Indo News, w29 2025
Media highlight AMR education, stricter TB drug oversight, local immunization drives, and interest in traditional antibacterial solutions across Indonesia.
A summary of AMR in Indonesian press
Indonesia’s media coverage this week underscored the mounting public health risks associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), highlighting growing national awareness and diverse initiatives to curb misuse of antibiotics. The reporting focused on regulatory concerns, local awareness efforts, and increasing attention to fungal resistance and natural remedies.
Policy and Regulatory Actions
Media sources indicate that local governments are intensifying efforts to monitor and control antibiotic use. In East Kalimantan, SuaraIndonesia.co.id reported that Andi Satya, a member of the local legislature, has urged strict supervision over tuberculosis (TBC) drug distribution to prevent misuse and resistance. In Banyumas, Vice Regent Lintarti emphasized the need to improve public health infrastructure to manage infectious diseases more effectively (Patroli88Investigasi.com). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (Kementerian Kesehatan RI) continues to support national immunization programs, with local governments such as Pekanbaru setting high targets for full infant immunization, an effort seen to indirectly prevent misuse of antibiotics by curbing preventable infections (RiauSky.com, ValoraNews.com).
Public Health Concerns and Awareness
Public discourse around antibiotic misuse remains strong. Media coverage suggests a broad societal push to educate communities on responsible antibiotic consumption. A widely shared opinion piece on Kompasiana.com (“Antibiotik Bukan Permen”) stresses the danger of treating antibiotics like candy and calls for more informed medical consultations. Similarly, reports on Kumparan.com warn against increasing public dependence on antibiotics and emphasize the role of public education in changing health behaviors. In Pontianak, local health officials have urged residents to be cautious when using antibiotics during cases of diarrhea, reflecting ongoing local outreach (Aksaraloka.com).
Pharmaceutical and Clinical Interventions
Clinical responses to AMR are gaining traction, particularly in TB treatment. Archyde.com reported on new shorter-duration drug therapies showing effectiveness against resistant strains of TB. This aligns with Indonesia’s public health focus on reducing TBC prevalence, especially in densely populated areas like Makassar, which was identified by RakyatSulsel.Fajar.co.id as having the highest TB rates in South Sulawesi. In parallel, several media articles discussed the use of natural antibacterial agents. For instance, research into the effects of virgin coconut oil on Staphylococcus aureushas been publicized on Kumparan.com, reflecting local interest in integrating traditional remedies with modern treatment.
Research and Technological Advances
While there were few reports on institutional research, community-level science communication was active. Reports in Kompasiana.com and Kumparan.com detailed social initiatives promoting the use of local plants for antibacterial purposes in Boyolali and elsewhere. Though not explicitly tied to institutions like BRIN or universities, these efforts suggest grassroots interest in exploring alternative solutions to antibiotic resistance.
AMR in International Press
International reporting this week revealed a multilayered global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), emphasizing diagnostic innovation, strategic policy implementation, and surveillance enhancements. Efforts are largely framed around “One Health” initiatives and integrated health security planning, with various regions investing in infrastructure and regulatory capacity to address AMR threats systemically.
Policy and Regulatory Strategies
The European Commission unveiled a broad stockpiling and preparedness framework to secure access to critical medical countermeasures, including antibiotics, during health emergencies. The plan includes centralized procurement, improved supply chain coordination, and reinforced crisis readiness across the EU. Parallel to this, Ireland’s Department of Health announced the creation of a One Health Oversight Committee to operationalize intersectoral responses to AMR. Meanwhile, the UK is extending its health security partnerships with ASEAN nations to bolster regional resilience against infectious disease outbreaks.
Diagnostic and Surveillance Advances
Genomic surveillance continues to underpin global AMR strategies. Malawi launched an updated national genomic strategy aimed at improving early detection of resistant pathogens and tailoring treatment protocols accordingly. In Canada, metagenomic tools are being adopted in livestock health diagnostics to identify resistant strains before they spread to human populations. Additionally, the Burnet Institute expanded its molecular epidemiology program in the Pacific, targeting multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Kiribati.
Technological Innovation in Detection and Management
Technological tools for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing are gaining traction. Reports highlight the development of microfluidic chip platforms capable of reducing diagnostic timeframes for resistant infections. Furthermore, AI-assisted tools are being leveraged in Australia and the United States to design synthetic proteins and predictive models that help identify new antimicrobial targets, with several projects entering translational stages.
Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Research
Phage therapy is re-emerging as a viable alternative to antibiotics, with a new study published in Nature Communicationsdocumenting the efficacy of a phage cocktail (BX004) in reducing Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Though still in trial stages, the findings suggest meaningful potential for addressing resistant lung infections.
Novel Treatments for AMR
Approved Therapeutics for Pediatric Malaria
Novartis has received regulatory approval in the EU and Switzerland for its new pediatric formulation of a malaria treatment, designed specifically for newborns and infants under 5 kilograms. This is the first approved treatment of its kind and could offer substantial relief in regions facing co-infections and limited neonatal drug options. The medicine is expected to bolster global pediatric AMR control by reducing the inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in young children.
FDA Progress on Rapid Diagnostic Tools
Gradientech AB has concluded clinical trials of its rapid diagnostic platform for sepsis-related infections and has submitted results to the U.S. FDA. Although final approval is pending, the data submission represents a step toward regulatory recognition for real-time antimicrobial susceptibility tools in clinical settings.
Use of Animal-Derived Microbiota
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have reported positive outcomes in using cow-derived bacteria to combat MRSA infections in humans. While currently restricted to investigational stages, the study has attracted regulatory interest in Denmark, where it may soon undergo formal approval procedures under veterinary-human crossover applications.
This week on Youtube
MSD’s Podcast ‘The Steward’ - Episode: The role of vaccines in the fight against AMR
The objective of this substack is to support awareness about the subject of AMR for healthcare professionals and interested audiences.
This newsletter is based on articles in the press, supplied by NewsMachine, tools for media monitoring worldwide.