§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what research the Government are funding or initiating into the dangers of bacterial strains becoming resistant to available antibiotics; and if he will make a statement.
(2) what research the Government are funding or initiating into the possibility that antibiotic-resistant strains of enterococcus may pass on their immunity to other more deadly types of bacteria; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what research has been conducted into the antibacterial resistant traits of staphylococcus aureus.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Medical Research Council attaches importance to research into the mechanisms of pathogenicity and drug resistance in bacterial infections and supports a range of studies in this area which are relevant to understanding how antibiotic resistance develops. As part of its clinical research initiative in Nottingham, the council is building up support for several groups studying a range of bacterial infections. One group has a particular interest in problems related to staphylococcal infections. The MRC is also reviewing the literature relating to septic shock, especially in relation to possible studies of monoclonal antibody therapy. In addition, the Public Health Laboratory Service, a non-departmental public body, is undertaking surveillance programmes to monitor the incidence and effects of multiple antibiotic resistance to staphylococcus aureus and to enterococcus bacteria.