Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Enhancing antimicrobial stewardship through pharmacy across the Commonwealth
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Antimicrobial medicines include antifungals, antibiotics, antiparasitics and antivirals. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms like bacteria that cause infection and disease adapt to resist their effect. One of the main causes of AMR is the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial medications in human health, animals and the environment. By 2050 it is predicted that more people will die of AMR related causes than Cancer, making it an urgent crisis. On the 21st of September 2016, 193 countries of the United Nations agreed a landmark declaration to rid the world of superbugs. Without global action it is conceivable that simple infections could soon become entirely untreatable with existing antimicrobials. Pharmacists play a crucial role in the fight to tackle AMR.Â
The CPA Partnerships to Tackle AMR
AMR is today’s problem and it needs to be top of everyone’s agendas. This is not an easy issue to solve; increasing awareness of AMR and optimising the use of antibiotics are only part of the solution, but everyone can all a play a part, no matter how small.
The Commonwealth spirit would encourage us to commit to work together and share the tools, resources and expertise that we have to support all our nations in developing and delivering an effective action plan to tackle this issueP
The CPA leads on advocacy with governments globally across the Commonwealth countries and in partnership with several organisations to increase engagement and support for pharmacists to tackle AMR in their own countries
Diane Ashiru-Oredope, Lead Pharmacist for healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at UK Health Security Agency
A Global Action Plan on AMRÂ
Endorsed at the World Health Assembly in May 2015, this plan aims to ensure the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases with safe and effective medicines continues, based on five strategic objectives:
- To improve awareness and understanding of AMR
- To strengthen surveillance and research
- To reduce the incidence of infection
- To optimize the use of antimicrobial medicines
- To ensure sustainable investment in countering AMR
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