MPs to examine the role of bacteria-killing viruses in the UK’s antimicrobial resistance strategy
Leading medical and health bodies will be questioned by MPs on the role of phages in the UK’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy. Phages are ‘good’ viruses that can target and kill harmful bacteria. They are mentioned in the strategy as a promising tool to tackle the growing levels of antibiotic resistant disease.
Meeting details
Previous witnesses to the inquiry have suggested the UK is behind other countries in developing phages due to regulatory barriers.
The third session of the Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry will focus on the UK’s funding of phage research and regulation of phages. MPs will then put questions to the UK Health Security Agency, the medical regulator MHRA and Department of Health.
The inquiry is the result of the successful pitch to the Committee’s My Science Inquiry.