Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund to be open to research applications for the repurposing of antibiotics.

The Government has committed £50 million towards setting up a Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Innovation Fund to increase global investment in AMR. The fund aims to leverage substantial new international investment in AMR research and development for new and repurposed antimicrobials and alternative medicines, rapid diagnostic tests, vaccines and other important technologies, interventions and therapies.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer for England and United Kingdom Government adviser, has appointed an expert advisory board to make recommendations on the scope and focus of the investment.

These discussions are ongoing.