The Obama administration has called for national action on antibiotics.

The White House unveiled a national plan in September to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It includes an executive order to “reduce the emergence and spread” of these bacteria and ensure availability of treatments. 

The goals include reducing inappropriate antibiotic use for inpatients for monitored conditions by 20% and reducing inappropriate antibiotic use for outpatients by 50% by 2020.

The National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority also launched a $20 million prize for a rapid test to identify highly resistant bacterial infections at the point of care.