Pharmacy Daily | Antibiotic awareness push

PHARMACIES across Australia have been urged to “lead the way in the global fight against antibiotic resistance,” with the country’s first Antibiotic Awareness Week officially launching yesterday. An initiative of NPS MedicineWise, the week will see pharmacists and pharmacy staff encouraged to use a range of resources to “engage consumers in conversations about antibiotic resistance and help change attitudes and behaviours towards antibiotics”. Australia has one of the highest rates of antibiotic use in the world, with around 19 million prescriptions written each year. NPS MedicineWise resistance fighter campaign launch kits were distributed to community pharmacists in July, with other resources available online at nps.org.au/antibiotic-awareness. NPS chair Janette Randall said that changing community attitudes and expectations around antibiotics is a “vital step in helping to combat antibiotic resistance. “Pharmacists are in a good position to discuss symptomatic management options, talk about why antibiotics may or may not be needed and explain what signs to look out for that should prompt a visit to the GP,” she said. Alarming statistics released by NPS found that more than 20% of people surveyed said they would expect an antibiotic for a cough or cold, with the figure more than tripling when asked about ear, nose, throat or chest infections. “By making people medicinewise about antibiotics we can reduce their use when they’re not needed and, in the long run, help preserve the miracle that is antibiotics”. MEANWHILE NPS has also launched a series of online elearning modules which aim to encourage the safe and appropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals as part of the program. The training is particularly aimed at hospital pharmacists, prescribers in their first two years out of medical school as well as nurse practitioners. The modules guide users through initial clinical assessment and diagnosis, investigations, interpretation of results and antibiotic selection, and reflect the Guide to Good Prescribing issued by the World Health Organization. Four topics are covered including surgical prophylaxis, catheterassociated urinary tract infection, bacteraemia and community acquired pneumonia. Antibiotic Awareness Week is supported by the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, the Australian Society for Antimicrobials, the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care and NPS. AND NPS ceo Lynn Weekes has also launched a new personal blog, with her most recent post including a response to the Four Corners “Rise of the Superbugs” episode on antibiotic resistance - see www.themedicinewiseCEO.com.

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