The Question

How has the Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (ITFAR) fared in relation to its goals since its founding in 1999?

What we found

ITFAR has succeeded in documenting work and increasing communication among agencies working on resistance issues, but it has missed an opportunity to set the agenda for federal response.  The task force could benefit from dedicated leadership and increased resources.

Why it matters

Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly critical public health problem.  With 11 agencies working on resistance within the United States, there is a clear need for an effective, coordinated federal response to the issue.