National action plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran for combating antimicrobial resistance during 2016 - 2021.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most important threats to health worldwide. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) have invited countries around the world to work together to inhibit AMR, and all the member states are expected to prepare a national plan for tackling AMR by 2017. This project was aimed to prepare the National Action Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran for combating antimicrobial resistance (NAP-IRIAMR) during 2016 to 2021. In this article, the literature and available documents were reviewed to identify key stakeholders. Moreover, interviews, brain storming sessions, and meetings with key stakeholders were held to determine NAP-IRIAMR objectives, strategies, policies, and indicators for monitoring and evaluation. To reach consensus and make a conclusion, participants' views and comments were analyzed using Delphi method and expert panel. In this national action plan for combating AMR, 13 key stakeholders were identified and 5 objectives were set: (1) raising public awareness and increasing trainings on AMR, (2) continuous monitoring of AMR, (3) preventing the spread of microorganisms resistant to antimicrobials, (4) promoting the rational use of antimicrobials, (5) promoting research and development in the field of AMR. The NAP-IRIAMR was prepared for the years 2016- 2021. Intersectoral cooperation is needed to combat AMR. It is expected that implementing the NAP-IRIAMR and reaching the determined goals will help overcome the problems related to AMR.