SPARC
Surveillance and Prescribing support for Antimicrobial Stewardship Resource Capacity Building

Expanding AMR surveillance and prescribing
SPARC builds on the technical expertise of the Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CwPAMS) programme, which the CPA has delivered in partnership with THET since 2018. CwPAMS focussed on developing robust multidisciplinary, quality improvement partnerships across eight African countries in addition to successfully launching an antimicrobial prescribing smartphone app and surveillance of antimicrobial use via the Global Point Prevalence Survey (GPPS).
Funded by the Fleming Fund, and in partnership with Mott MacDonald and working with stakeholders across the whole health ecosystem in each region, SPARC has a centralised approach to delivering its core projects through:
1. A new mobile App to support prudent antimicrobial prescribing in human and animal health
2. Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) data collection on the use of antimicrobials
3. Support and training for continuous quality improvement (QI) in antimicrobial stewardship

There’s never been a more important time to focus on strengthening our surveillance and information systems to help tackle infectious diseases, especially antimicrobial resistance. We're excited to announce the launch of the ‘SPARC’ programme, funded by the UK’s Fleming Fund.
Victoria Rutter, Executive Director at the CPA
SPARC App
The SPARC App will be rolled out in up to 22 Fleming Fund countries. Core AMS content for human and animal health will be collated and delivered via both the App and website.
12 CPA partnership countries will upload national treatment guidelines for infections to the App and website. To ensure sustainability, the CPA will provide a series of freely-available training videos – enabling all countries to further customise the App for country-specific requirements.
The app is funded for 5 years and with functionality to enable in-country teams to upload additional treatment guidelines in the future.
What is the Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) Data Collection for SPARC?
The CPA will be supporting PPS data collection on the use of antimicrobials in up to 5 institutions across 6 Fleming Fund countries. We will work with our in-country healthcare teams; using real-world evidence and tools to positively impact the rational use of antimicrobials and achieve better patient health.
Each site will have a dedicated Site Champion, working alongside our In-Country Consultant, to provide support on-site and to the global CPA team.
What is the Quality Improvement training for Antimicrobial Stewardship?
The CPA will provide training and team development throughout the project with the aim of supporting continuous quality improvement that is embedded in daily practice.
Training will support in-country healthcare teams to review current data trends within their institutions; to help champion and influence evidence-based behaviour changes across multidisciplinary teams, patients and policymakers.
Training will also cover the practical aspects of content management and administration of the SPARC Prescribing App.
Get the latest

The CPA and Novartis partner to support pharmacists
The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and Novartis partner to support pharmacists About The Partnership London, United Kingdom (8th November 2021). The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and

Event: World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 18 – 24 November World Antimicrobial Awareness Week Every year, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) takes place between the 18th to

Event: AMS Game tournament during WAAW
AMS Game tournament Join the AMS Game tournament which will take place on the 24th of November during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week Register to play

Event: The role of pharmacists in AMR Tweetchat
Tweetchat: Spread awareness, stop resistance – the role of pharmacists Join our tweetchat on the 17th of November 2021 #CPApharm Tweetchat To celebrate World Antimicrobial

News: Successful outcome for antimicrobial stewardship capacity building meetings in Uganda
Successful outcome for antimicrobial stewardship capacity building meetings in Uganda Feedback after a successful CwPAMS and SPARC meeting Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) refers to a coordinated

News: The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association roll out the pioneering new ‘SPARC’ programme to help combat antimicrobial resistance
The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association roll out the pioneering new ‘SPARC’ programme to help combat antimicrobial resistance Press Release For more information contact: sparc@commonwealthpharmacy.org The Commonwealth Pharmacists

News: Call for expressions of interest – Project Support Officer
Call for expressions of interest – Project Support Officer About The Role The Commonwealth Pharmacy Association (CPA) is a small but rapidly growing global health

News: CPA & THET Win Antibiotic Guardian Award for CwPAMS
CPA & THET Win Antibiotic Guardian Award for CwPAMS Antibiotic Guardian Awards 2020 On Thursday 26 November 2020, the fifth Antibiotic Guardian award was held

Blog: History-Making As Malaysian Pharmacists Can Now Administer Covid-19 Vaccination 
Pharmacists in Malaysia were successfully included as Covid-19 vaccinators to help ramp up the inoculation rate in Malaysia from February 2022 onwards.

Commonwealth Day 2022 — Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming
The CPA is building a shared future across the Commonwealth by delivering a wide range of programs. These programmes align with its core strategic goals to address issues around the access, use and quality of medicines.

Blog: A Day In The Life Of An HIV Pharmacist
Opinion Piece: Akwasi Mintah A Day In The Life Of An HIV Pharmacist I find myself challenged and intrigued by my work as an HIV pharmacist.

Blog: Tackling antibiotic resistance in primary care
Opinion Piece: Dr Sanjay Sarin and Dr Cecilia Ferreyra (FIND) Tackling antibiotic resistance in primary healthcare Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health emergency that