Medical Council welcomes publication of third One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2026 – 2030 (iNAP3)
Thursday 20th November 2025: The Medical Council has welcomed the publication of the third One Health National Action Plan to address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2026-2030, known as iNAP3.
Published on Monday by Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Heydon, TD, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency; iNAP3 reinforces Ireland’s commitment to tackling the growing global threat of AMR through a One Health approach, which recognises the interconnection between human health, animal health and the environment.
CEO of the Medical Council,
Dr Maria O’Kane, said increasing awareness of AMR is critical to protecting patients:
“According to the World Health Organisation, antimicrobial resistance is one of the top ten global threats to human health. Continued planning and action against AMR will be essential for patient safety into the future, and we welcome iNAP3 as an important step forward.
“For doctors, reducing AMR means ensuring that antibiotic medicines are only prescribed and administered when they are genuinely needed. Antimicrobial medicines should only be used where they are required to treat serious infections. For patients, not every illness requires an antibiotic, and your doctor will advise you on the most effective treatment. Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics helps protect their effectiveness for the future.”
“From a patient safety perspective, knowledge and awareness of this issue is important, as is an understanding of the wider challenges we face. The Medical Council will continue to ensure that expectations relating to safe, appropriate, and evidence-based prescribing are clearly communicated through our Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners (9th edition), 2024. Doctors who are newly practising medicine or new to Ireland should also familiarise themselves with the Medical Council’s Safe Start guide.
“AMR cannot be addressed in isolation. The iNAP3 plan provides a clear framework for progress across human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment. The Medical Council looks forward to working with stakeholders on the implementation of iNAP3 and supporting doctors to deliver care that prioritises patient safety and public health.”
The One Health National Action Plan to address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2026-2030, known as iNAP3 is available here.