What is ICARS? Global AMR Action, 68 Projects in 32 Countries & Pakistan’s Ongoing Intervention
ICARS (International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions) partners with low- and middle-income countries to co-develop and implement sustainable, context-specific and cost-effective solutions to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Key Highlights ✅
- One Health approach: Human health + Animal health + Environment
- Portfolio (2025): 68 projects, 32 countries/territories, 56 ongoing
- Not “reports only”: focus on implementation + measurable change
- Pakistan: intervention to improve appropriate antibiotic prescribing in rural health centres (Punjab)
🔗 Official website: icars-global.org | Projects portal: All Projects
1) ICARS at a Glance: What does it do? 🌍
ICARS works on “From evidence to action”—meaning it does not stop at research reports. It helps countries design and implement practical interventions that fit local systems and realities, then evaluates what works (and at what cost) to support policy decisions and scale-up.
What is One Health?
AMR is not only a hospital issue. It moves across humans, animals, food systems and the environment. One Health connects these links and targets solutions across the full chain.
ICARS Working Model
Countries identify priorities; ICARS co-develops interventions with partners; implementation, monitoring and evidence generation follow to drive real-world change.
National Action Plans (NAPs)
A major ICARS goal is to support implementation of national AMR action plans—turning plans into practice.
2) Where does ICARS work globally?
ICARS reports a global presence across 32 countries and territories through a portfolio of 68 projects (with 56 ongoing in 2025). Projects span Human Health, Animal Health and Multi-sector themes.
Examples of countries & themes (based on the project examples you provided)
Human Health • Pakistan 🇵🇰
Improving appropriate antibiotic prescribing for ARI/diarrhoea in rural health centres (Punjab)
Intervention & ImplementationPakistan project snapshot
Period: Oct 2023–Oct 2026 • Funding: 662,186 USD (ASD) + 36,700 USD (external SMEs)
View official pageAnimal Health • Uganda 🐔
Reducing drug residues in broiler meat and promoting antibiotic stewardship among poultry farmers
Behaviour changeAnimal health interventions
ICARS supports projects targeting antimicrobial use, residues, and stewardship in food systems.
See all projectsMulti-sector • Multi-country 🌐
People-Centred AMR Research Initiative (cross-sector approach)
One HealthWhy multi-sector matters
AMR is driven by systems across health, food production and the environment—solutions must connect them.
Explore map3) ICARS Objectives (What it aims to achieve) 🎯
Improve appropriate prescribing, dispensing and responsible use of antimicrobials.
Strengthen testing and monitoring to reduce “blind” antibiotic use and guide treatment.
Reduce infections through prevention and control—less infection means less antibiotic pressure.
How does ICARS turn “evidence” into “action”?
- Identify local priorities and root causes with national stakeholders
- Design practical interventions (guidelines, training, digital monitoring, behaviour change)
- Implement and evaluate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness
- Use results to inform policy, sustainability, and scale-up decisions
Which sectors do ICARS projects cover?
Human Health, Animal Health, Multi-sector, and themes such as climate-AMR links, aquaculture systems, pharmacy practices, hospital stewardship, and biosecurity-focused approaches.
4) How to apply for ICARS funding (Step-by-step tutorial) 💰✅
ICARS funding pathways typically involve responsible Ministries working with national research institutions. A simplified roadmap:
Step 1: Expression of Interest (EoI)
A responsible Ministry (or group of Ministries) submits an EoI with a cover letter and national research partnership.
Step 2: Concept Note
If selected, partners develop a concept describing the problem, target groups, and proposed intervention approach.
Step 3: Full Proposal + Budget
A full proposal includes budget, implementation plan, risk management, monitoring & evaluation, and a scale-up pathway.
How are funds “distributed” (in practice)?
ICARS typically links financing with clear implementation deliverables, monitoring, reporting, and evidence generation, so that funding leads to measurable changes and informs policy decisions.
🔗 Official sections: Partner with ICARS | Projects portal
5) ICARS in Pakistan: Punjab rural health centres antibiotic stewardship project 🇵🇰
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Promoting appropriate prescription of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea among adolescents and adults at rural health centres in Punjab, Pakistan |
| Sector | Human Health |
| Type | Intervention and implementation research |
| Period | October 2023 – October 2026 |
| ICARS Funding | 662,186 USD (for ASD) + 36,700 USD (for external SMEs) |
| Lead & Partners |
Lead: Association for Social Development (ASD) Partners: Health Services Academy (MoNHSR&C), DG Health Services Punjab, Dure Technologies (Geneva) |
Why this project matters (Context & problem)
- High levels of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing at primary care level
- Low awareness at patient level, self-medication, and high demand for antibiotics
- Easy access to antibiotics and over-the-counter sales
What the intervention includes
Contextualised guidance and training for clinical staff.
Digital monitoring and feedback loops to improve prescribing behaviour.
Digital tools and communication to encourage responsible antibiotic use.
🔗 Official Pakistan project page: ICARS Project Page
6) How does ICARS affect the health & veterinary industry? 🏥🐄🌱
Human Health
- Reduced unnecessary antibiotics → lower AMR pressure
- Better stewardship → safer, more effective treatment
- Guidelines + monitoring → sustainable behaviour change
Veterinary / Livestock / Poultry
- Prudent use and fewer residues → improved food safety
- Better biosecurity and management → fewer infections → less drug use
- Supports export readiness and compliance (indirectly)
Environment
- Reduced antimicrobial residues and resistant organisms in the environment
- One Health focus helps protect the full human–animal–environment chain
In one line: what is ICARS trying to do?
The goal is not to “ban antibiotics”—it is to ensure the right patient, the right drug, at the right time, and reduce unnecessary use through prevention, diagnostics, and stewardship.
7) Recent ICARS updates (News Snapshot) 🗓️
Below is a quick snapshot based on the recent items you provided from ICARS “Latest news”.
🔗 Read more: ICARS News
8) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
Which countries can apply for ICARS support?
ICARS describes partnerships with low- and middle-income countries; applications are typically routed through responsible Ministries working with national research institutions. (Eligibility references often align with OECD DAC listing.)
Can Pakistan develop more One Health AMR projects with ICARS?
Potentially yes—if responsible Ministries, provincial departments, universities/research institutes and implementation partners define a priority (e.g., stewardship, residues, diagnostics, biosecurity) and follow the EoI → Concept → Proposal pathway.
Where can readers see the full list of all 68 projects?
ICARS provides an “All Projects” portal with interactive map/filters: https://icars-global.org/projects/