AS WORLD AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) launches today, stakeholders and policymakers who play a critical role in reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are promoting global action to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens.
Mandated by the World Health Assembly and celebrated from 18 to 24 Nov, this year's WAAW theme is 'Act now: Protect our present, secure our future'.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) recently joined 75 pharmacy organisations from around the world in signing the FIP Copenhagen Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance (PD 03 Sep).
The declaration outlines clear priorities to address AMR, including global partnership building, promoting vaccination and rational antimicrobial use, protecting medicine supply chains, and advancing evidence on stewardship and outcomes.
"As Australia's peak body for pharmacists, PSA is committed to playing our role in slowing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and promoting innovation that drives more rational medicine use," said PSA CEO, Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Danielle McMullen has warned Australia risks a return to "the medical dark ages" if resistance to antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals, is not addressed.
"Antimicrobial resistance is not a distant threat - it is a present-day emergency," Dr McMullen said.
"We are already seeing the consequences in our hospitals and in our communities.
"Without decisive action, we risk losing the effectiveness of life-saving treatments."
In Australia, rates of bacterial resistance are trending upwards in both hospital settings and the community.
Fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli blood infections have increased from 1.9% in 2006 to 13.4% in 2023.
Meanwhile, between 1,000 and 2,500 people die in hospital each year as a result of infections caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria, including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Dr McMullen raised concerns about policy decisions that could potentially worsen the problem, in particular "expanding prescribing rights without appropriate safeguards", adding that while antibiotics are vital to modern medicine, they must be prescribed carefully and responsibly. KB
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