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# FDA, Others Can Do More on Antibiotic Resistance: GAO
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-others-can-do-more-on-antibiotic-resistance-gao/
- Published: 2020-04-29T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:13:03.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, Devices, #legacy-id-D5146686

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report says FDA and other federal agencies should be doing more to better determine the magnitude and reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance. GAO says it was asked to review federal efforts to address antibiotic resistance. Its [report](https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/705578.pdf?ref=fdaweb.com) looked at federal efforts and challenges related to **(1)** surveillance of antibiotic resistance, **(2)** the development and use of diagnostic testing to identify antibiotic resistance, **(3)** the development of treatments for resistant infections, and **(4)** appropriate antibiotic use.

GAO made eight recommendations, one of which specifically applies to FDA. It says CDRH should regularly conduct additional monitoring and evaluation of the status of FDA-authorized tests that rely on breakpoints to determine whether test manufacturers are updating breakpoints, and should seek additional resources to perform that work as needed. HHS and FDA agreed with the recommendation.

The report says FDA stated that it has taken major steps to help address challenges associated with updating such tests to reflect the most current breakpoints. GAO said that in addition to those steps, monitoring and evaluation of current FDA-authorized tests that may still be using out-of-date breakpoints will enhance the agency’s efforts to ensure that patient care and infection control efforts are effective.