WIDESPREAD reports of over-use of antimicrobials may be significantly exaggerated in some situations due to methodologies relating to stock levels, according to new research printed in the latest issue of the Journal of Pharmacy Practice & Research (JPPR) published by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA).
The study was led by Georgia Macauley from the University of South Australia's School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and explored "inadvertent overreporting of antimicrobial use based on stock levels into centralised surveillance".
Aggregate usage rate for 12 smaller, more remote hospitals was examined, finding that the exclusion of expired stock resulted in an average monthly reduction of about 6% in reported figures.
"Replacement of expired stock may account for a substantial proportion of perceived antimicrobial usage in rural and remote hospitals, particularly for agents infrequently prescribed," the authors wrote.
The SHPA Journal also recounts a Queensland study which implemented the pharmacist-led Toronto deprescribing tool in three Australian kidney dialysis settings, finding that the use of the tool led to substantial deprescribing.
The SHPA's Journal of Pharmacy Practice & Research is available online, with all articles free to SHPA members, and the latest issue also features an open letter to the profession calling for combined year-round support for achieving Indigenous health equity by 2030.
SHPA CEO Kristin Michaels noted the Society's support for the call, and its partnership with Pfizer to deliver free cultural safety training to all members via Indigenous Allied Health Australia's Cultural Responsiveness Training online modules - CLICK HERE.
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