Every year, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) takes place between the 18th to 24th of November. 

The aim of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is to improve the understanding of what antimicrobial medicines are and how their misuse and overuse in humans, animals and the environment are accelerating the speed at which microbes (i.e. germs) are adapting to resist their effect. The most widely recognised antimicrobial medication being antibiotics which treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria. 

This year’s WAAW theme which was announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is: “Spread awareness, stop resistance“ with the slogan remaining as “Antimicrobials: Handle with care.”

In support of this, the CPA have developed a campaign which will focus on the important role of pharmacists as key health workers in each of these One Health realms in the Commonwealth, including those pharmacists working in veterinary medicine. 

We will also spread awareness around the role of pharmacists adding value to improved sanitation (WASH) including through the production of alcohol-based hand sanitisers,  monitoring the spread of AMR and acting as beacons of trustworthy information for patients and the public.