PDI, a U.S. healthcare company, has announced a series of corporate commitments designed to educate internal associates and customers about strategies to reduce the threat of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms as part of its ongoing partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in support of The White House's National Strategy to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.

"PDI plays an important role in helping to advance the discussion around antimicrobial resistance because our business is centered on eliminating antimicrobial-resistant bacteria before it enters the human body and becomes problematic," said Dr. Hudson Garrett, vice president of clinical affairs. "Unlike many others that are combating issues around antibiotic resistance in the body, we are trying to 'prevent' the problem at an earlier stage."

According to CDC estimates, antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance is responsible for as many as 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths annually. Through its ongoing work with the CDC and new partnership with the White House, PDI is focused on addressing the negative impact of deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria—often called "superbugs"—with awareness initiatives across multiple facets of its business. This includes specific commitments that will:

• Incorporate antimicrobial-resistance messaging into sales and marketing materials
• Provide training and resources on core principles of antimicrobial resistance to PDI sales professionals, customer-facing associates and quality management associates
• Facilitate regulatory and research development that prevents superbug development
• Build clinical education resources for our customers.