Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship in clinical pharmacy and beyond

In the build-up to World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) on 18-24 November, I recently attended a webinar focused on antibiotic resistance and efforts to combat it across the UK. The session marked the launch of plans and toolkits for WAAW 2024 and provided an opportunity to reflect on the Antibiotic Guardian campaign, which has encouraged over 200,000 pledges since 2014 from both healthcare professionals and the public to use antibiotics responsibly.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue, requiring coordinated action at local, national, and international levels. Recently, the UN General Assembly[AJ1]  reaffirmed the need to address this threat, which is projected to cause an additional 1.9 million deaths annually by 2050.

Chaired by Diane Ashiru-Oredope, Lead Pharmacist for healthcare-associated infections and AMR at the UK Health Security Agency, the webinar introduced the 2024-2029 National Action Plan (NAP) for AMR and included real-world examples of its implementation.

The new NAP, titled Confronting Antimicrobial Resistance 2024-2029, is built around four main objectives: reducing unnecessary exposure to antimicrobials, optimising their use, supporting innovation and access, and strengthening global partnerships. A key aim is to improve public and professional understanding of AMR, with a target of reducing antibiotic use by 5% in humans by 2029.

Clinical pharmacy is essential in promoting AMR stewardship. Case studies presented during the webinar demonstrated how different organisations are working to reduce antibiotic use across scale. For instance, Rakhi Aggarwal, Senior Prescribing Advisor at Birmingham and Solihull ICB, discussed her region’s multidisciplinary approach to AMR, which includes doctors, pharmacists, and public health experts working together in the Birmingham Antibiotic Advisory Group.

Rachel Berry, an Advanced Medicine Optimisation Pharmacist at North East and North Cumbria ICB, shared the success of local awareness initiatives like the Seriously Campaign in Durham and Sunderland. She highlighted the importance of ongoing, system-wide collaboration to meet NAP targets.

Fran Garraghan, Consultant Pharmacist for Antimicrobial Stewardship at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, discussed how the overuse of antimicrobials in her trust is a significant concern, with antimicrobials being the second most commonly administered medicine. To combat this, she emphasised the need for a cultural shift in prescribing practices, stronger collaboration between ICBs, and addressing health disparities that contribute to AMR.

The webinar highlighted the critical need for collaboration across healthcare systems, emphasising the pivotal role clinical pharmacy plays in raising awareness about the risks of antibiotic overuse. A fundamental shift in prescribing habits is essential, as overprescribing continues to be a major concern. ICBs must unite to establish best practices that prevent antibiotic misuse and reduce the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Join us at CPC North to hear Gill Damant, Regional Lead for Antimicrobial Stewardship for the North West at NHS England discuss the new 5-year UK AMR National Action Plan in Clinical Theatre 1 on Saturday 2 November (15:00-15:45).

Access the webinar here: https://antibioticguardian.com/webinar/waaw-2024-plans-and-10-years-celebration-of-antibiotic-guardian-campaign/

 [AJ1]I think it would be better to use the original link here? https://who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/09/26/default-calendar/un-general-assembly-high-level-meeting-on-antimicrobial-resistance-2024