JPMA Media Forum: Initiatives Regarding Priority Infectious Diseases (Including AMR) —Introduction to Revisions to the Government Action Plan for Countermeasures Against Novel Influenza and Other Diseases, and Future Measures—

The JPMA Media Forum was held on October 2, 2024.At this event, we presented the revisions to the “Government Action Plan for Countermeasures Against Novel Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases,” which was released by the Cabinet Office’s Infectious Disease Crisis Management Agency in July 2024. In addition to measures to be taken in the event of an infectious disease crisis caused by novel influenza or the novel coronavirus, we highlighted the need to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a priority infectious disease.Through this forum, representatives from industry, government, and academia presented the current status of measures against priority infectious diseases (including AMR) during peacetime. This helped media representatives gain a deeper understanding of the need for industry, academia, and government to collaborate on countermeasures in preparation for emergencies.

Scenes from the Forum

Presentation 1

Regarding the Government Action Plan for Countering Novel Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases

Mr. Eiji Kusaka, Deputy Director-General, Cabinet Office for Infectious Disease Crisis Management

This presentation provided an explanation of the revisions to the “Government Action Plan for Countermeasures Against Novel Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases.” Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had pointed out the need for a central command function for infectious diseases, and the presentation outlined the background and role of the Cabinet Office for Infectious Disease Crisis Management, which was established in response.It was also explained that the Agency operates under different organizational structures during peacetime and emergencies; in the event of an emergency, a significant number of additional staff are deployed to implement countermeasures.

Next, the revisions to the “Government Action Plan for Countermeasures Against Novel Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases” were presented (Figure 1). The Government Action Plan outlines preparations during peacetime and countermeasures during infectious disease outbreaks; based on the experience with the recent novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it has been fundamentally revised to enable more effective initiatives against a wide range of infectious diseases.

Key points of the revision include expanding the scope of target diseases beyond novel influenza; dividing peacetime preparations into three phases (preparation, initial response, and response); increasing the number of countermeasure items to 13; and incorporating cross-cutting perspectives such as human resource development, support for research and development, and collaboration with local governments and international partners.It was also noted that, in consideration of the need to respond to multiple infectious diseases, the plan explicitly stipulates revisions approximately every six years.

Figure 1: Key Points of the Revision to the Government Action Plan for Measures Against Novel Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases

Presentation 2

Preparation and Contingency Planning for Medical Countermeasures Against Infectious Diseases in Japan

, Director, Center for Global Infectious Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Mr. Takao Omagari, Director, AMR Clinical Reference Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital

In this presentation, the speakers discussed the preparation of medical countermeasures and contingency planning for infectious diseases in Japan from the perspectives of research and development as well as clinical practice.

During the domestic COVID-19 outbreak, the COVID-19 REGISTRY JAPAN (COVIREGI-JP), a registry was established to collect clinical data and specimens from COVID-19 patients by adapting protocols used for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) patients, and the efficacy and safety of treatment using convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors were evaluated.Drawing on the lessons learned from this experience, he emphasized that preparation is crucial and that being prepared enables one to take action when the time comes. He also noted that research and development of infectious disease drugs in Japan requires preparation based on a plan, and outlined the following seven areas that need to be strengthened (Figures 2 and 3).

Promotion of R&D during normal times based on national R&D plans
Coordination and strengthening of basic and applied research
Promoting the use of data
Strengthening human resource development
Expanding support for drug discovery startups
Establishing a framework for international joint clinical trials
Regulatory Development

Figure 2: Areas Requiring Strengthening in Infectious Disease Drug R&D in Japan (1)

Figure 3: Areas Requiring Strengthening in Infectious Disease Drug R&D in Japan (2)

Regarding preparations underway in domestic clinical settings, various initiatives were cited, such as the establishment of an infectious disease clinical research network using the National Registry of the Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Data Bank Project (REBIND) as a model, and the Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Research Infrastructure Creation Project, which establishes overseas bases to conduct basic research.It was noted that the Political Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), adopted at the United Nations High-Level Meeting, emphasizes that promoting research and development is essential to ensure access to antimicrobial drugs for people in all countries and from all walks of life, and that financial support is required to achieve this.

Presentation 3

—Focusing on AMR Initiatives— From the Perspective of a Pharmaceutical Company

Nobuo Murakami, Chairperson, International Affairs Committee, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association

This presentation explained the initiatives being implemented by the JPMA regarding priority infectious diseases within the challenging market environment of the infectious diseases sector. It was noted that drug-resistant(AMR) bacteria are classified as Group C in the priority infectious diseases classification, and the speaker noted the recognition of the need for preparedness even in peacetime. He cited a recent study estimating that by 2050, 1.91 million people worldwide will die from drug-resistant bacteria, and that AMR-related deaths, including these, will total 8.22 million.Regarding research and development related to AMR, it was noted that the drug discovery ecosystem must be promoted. However, several issues were highlighted, including the fact that while the appropriate use of antimicrobials is strongly recommended, it has not yet become sufficiently widespread, and that companies’ willingness to invest in R&D is waning in cases where drug pricing results in financial losses.

Furthermore, regarding the AMR Action Fund, established under the leadership of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA),has raised a total of over 1 billion U.S. dollars from participating pharmaceutical companies and is investing in biotech firms developing treatments for infectious diseases. However, the presentation also highlighted the current situation where R&D in the field of infectious diseases is in decline, as evidenced by the shrinking pool of talent involved in antimicrobial R&D and the decreasing number of research papers on infectious diseases in Japan.

Regarding priority infectious diseases, it was stated that, in addition to push-type incentives to promote research and development, pull-type incentives are also important; furthermore, it is necessary to raise public awareness of the importance of strict and appropriate use through AMR awareness campaigns (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Summary of Today’s Session

Conclusion

At this Media Forum, it was explained that, based on the experience with COVID-19, the “Government Action Plan for Countermeasures against Novel Influenza and Other Infectious Diseases” has been revised to aim for a society capable of responding to a wide range of infectious diseases. In addition to measures for infectious disease crises caused by novel influenza or the novel coronavirus, it was noted that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is also a priority infectious disease requiring countermeasures.

Furthermore, regarding measures against priority infectious diseases (including AMR) during peacetime, the current status was presented from the perspectives of industry, academia, and government, and we believe this enabled media representatives to gain a broad understanding of the wide-ranging challenges involved in addressing priority infectious diseases.

In particular, representatives from the pharmaceutical industry highlighted the need to cultivate researchers who will play a leading role in establishing an ecosystem for the research and development of infectious disease treatments, as well as the necessity of “pull-type” incentives. The JPMA’s International Affairs Committee will continue to advance various activities in collaboration with industry, academia, and government, while maintaining a global perspective.

(Authored by: International Affairs Committee—Takeshi Watanabe, Toshiaki Sakai)

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