Denmark
Denmark has been a pioneer in AMR surveillance, launching DANMAP in 1995 - one of the world’s first integrated AMR monitoring programmes. The country’s comprehensive approach to AMU tracking and resistance monitoring serves as a model for integrated One Health surveillance globally.
Surveillance Programme
DANMAP - Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Programme
DANMAP is funded jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. It integrates data from human, animal, and food sectors into a single programme.
Key Entities
| Entity | Abbreviation | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statens Serum Institut | SSI | Government agency | Human clinical microbiology data, AMR/AMU analysis |
| Danish Health Data Authority | DHDA | Government agency | Register of Medicinal Product Statistics (human AMU) |
| Danish Veterinary and Food Administration | DVFA | Government agency | Animal AMR/AMU data, VetStat database |
| National Food Institute | DTU Food | Research institute | Animal/food AMR analysis for DANMAP |
| DK-Vet Consortium | DK-Vet | Research consortium | Veterinary AMR surveillance |
Human AMR Surveillance
- Broad surveillance of invasive and non-invasive pathogens
- Integration of primary care data and hospital-level granularity
- Routine whole-genome sequencing for many pathogens
- Data collected by SSI with sample metadata and hospital/regional identifiers
- Legislative basis: Danish Health Act and EU regulations
Recent development
Denmark launched a human-centred national action plan on AMR (June 2025), committing 130 million DKK (~€17 million) over four years.
Animal and Food AMR Surveillance
- DVFA hosts the VetStat national database - one of the most detailed veterinary drug use monitoring systems worldwide
- VetStat captures data from veterinarians, pharmacies, and feed mills, including animal species, age groups, and diagnostic indications
- AMR surveillance in clinical isolates from sick animals performed by the DK-Vet consortium
- Indicator bacteria (E. coli, enterococci) monitored beyond EU mandatory requirements
AMU Monitoring
- Human: Prescription and sales data collected by SSI from the Register of Medicinal Product Statistics at DHDA
- Animal: All medicines prescribed for animal use extracted from VetStat, analysed and reported by DTU Food
- Regulated under the Act on Medicines (Lov om lægemidler)