AMR – who’s responsible?
June 22, 2016
All health professionals including
pharmacists, as well as consumers,
have a responsibility to work
together to reduce Australia’s
dependence on antibiotics and
resultant increase in antimicrobial
resistance (AMR) according to the
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
(PSA).
With the recently released
Antimicrobial Use and Resistance
in Australia (AURA) report showing
Australia lagging behind other
nations on managing AMR in
the community, the PSA said
pharmacists can play a fundamental
role in antimicrobial stewardship in
Australia.
PSA national president Joe
Demarte said, “The pharmacy
profession in partnership with the
Federal Government, other health
practitioners and consumers, must
make an effective and sustained
contribution to a national response
to antimicrobial resistance.
“Advice about the use of
antibiotics must be disseminated to
consumers, in addition to antibiotic
awareness weeks and other time limited
campaigns.”
Demarte pointed out that many
people suffering from flu or
respiratory problems may think
a treatment with antibiotics is
needed.
“However pharmacists can give
the proper counselling for these
health problems, ensuring that
patients have a good understanding
of their illness and realistic
expectations of its progression,” he
said.
Demarte added that the PSA is
continuing to work closely with the
Federal Government to strengthen
consumer awareness, to enhance
communication between all
stakeholders and education for
pharmacists as well as to encourage
increases in vaccination rates to
prevent infections.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 22 Jun 16To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 22 Jun 16
