CONSUMERS are being urged to seek advice from a qualified health professional such as a community pharmacist before taking antibiotics, placing pharmacists at the centre of this year's theme for World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2017 from 13-19 Nov.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative highlights that it sees antibiotic resistance as being one of the greatest threats to human health today and antibiotics are a precious resource, making it important to get the right advice before taking them.
Australia is one of the highest global antibiotic users and is ranked 8th among 29 countries evaluated by the OECD, WHO said.
The WHO campaign aims to make antibiotic resistance a globally recognised health issue, raise awareness of the need to preserve the power of antibiotics through appropriate use, increase the recognition that all sectors of society must play their role in the battle and encourage behaviour change and convey the message that simple actions can make a difference.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 10 Nov 17
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 10 Nov 17
