Beat Bad Microbes

Raising awareness of antibiotic resistance in Rwanda through design

Beat Bad Microbes AMR partnership

In 2018 the CPA partnered with the University of Reading and the Rwanda Community Pharmacists Union to produce educational resources and tools for community pharmacists to help educate the public and raise awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Beat Bad Microbes in Rwanda is a University of Reading’s Global Challenges Research Fund project that introduced design thinking to communicate information about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic misuse, and to influence behaviour change. The cross- disciplinary collaboration project team includes academics from the Universities of Reading and Rwanda, Design Science, the Rwandan Community Pharmacists’ Union and the CPA.

The antibiotic record card lists antibiotics taken by patients along with any side effects they may have experienced. The card is a quick guide to help pharmacists have an informed conversation with their patient about antibiotics.

Advice leaflets for pharmacists to advise and give to patients and counsel on the the following areas;

Do you need antibiotics?
Completing your antibiotic course
Taking antibiotics with or without food
Concerns about side effects

The resources were developed so that pharmacists could print off the materials when they are needed. This approach meant that pharmacists did not have to store pre-printed material but only print what is needed when it is required. The materials were designed so they could be printed in colour or black and white to offer flexibly. These videos explain how the antibiotic cards and information leaflets are made.