Antibiotic Resistance - an issue for Everyone What role can pharmacists & healthcare staff play in preserving antibiotics?
What is Antibiotic Resistance? Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist the action of an antibiotic Antibiotic resistance severely limits the number of antibiotics available for the treatment of a number of diseases Since the discovery and use of antibiotics, more and more bacteria have become resistant and developed numerous different means of fighting against antibiotics Resistance is increasing and few new antibiotics have been discovered, antibiotic resistance is now a major public health threat
You may also hear the term Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Antibiotics are a group of antimicrobials and are the most important one to protect against resistance.
Why does it matter? If we don’t tackle drug resistant infections now, they could kill an extra 10 million people across the world each year by 2050 No new antibiotics since 1980 We will NOT be able to: ⁻ Treat cancer patients with chemotherapy ⁻ Perform operations or invasive diagnostic tests e.g. Stents, knee/hip replacements, dialysis, prostate biopsy ⁻ Treat pre-term babies / have caesarean sections
NI - Department of Health Changing the Culture 2019 -2024 One Health strategy for tackling antimicrobial resistance in NI is aiming for a 15% reduction in antibiotic prescribing in primary care by 2023/24
Why we need to reduce antibiotic use in NI NI 2017 - 1.76 million antibiotic prescriptions (approximately 1 course per head of population) 80% of antibiotic prescribing occurs in primary care from GP practices & Out Of Hours
Targeted use of antibiotics is important!!! It is important to recognise that this is not about restricting the use of antibiotics in all patients: only a small group of patients really need antibiotic treatment the large group of patients, who don’t need an antibiotic, need advice, reassurance and education Verheij TJM. The antibiotic revolution should be more focussed. Br J Gen Pract 2009; 59(567):716-717
Risk of side effects with antibiotics Any benefit patients achieve from antibiotics is small: Antibiotics reduce symptoms for between 8 and 24 hours at the most There is a 1 in 10 chance of causing side effects: − diarrhoea, − vomiting − rash − allergic reaction (1 in 15) − the risk of carrying a resistant bacteria which can spread to other people
Actions your Pharmacy can take to help reduce Antibiotic Resistance Become an antibiotic guardian Display posters and patient information leaflets Provide patient advice on duration of common infections Provide advice on self-care e.g. drinking plenty of fluids and rest to improve symptoms Provide advice on prevention e.g. good hand hygiene is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection
Patient Information Leaflet – help patients remember advice All sections can be personalised: • Products suggested • Self-care advice • Referral to GP “Most get better by ” - educates patients on duration of symptoms Self-care advice Safety netting - advises patients when to consult GP Information about antibiotics & AMR
Patient Advice is Important – make every contact count Research had shown that patients trust the advice you provide: Only take antibiotics for bacterial infections not cough, colds, sore throats & flu etc. Always finish the course Do not keep unused antibiotics for future use Do not share your antibiotics with others Return unused antibiotics to the pharmacy
Promote Self – Care
Keep Antibiotics Working Living Well Resources Keep Antibiotics Working Newsletter Keep Antibiotics Working Counter Mat Keep Antibiotics Working Posters & Leaflets Keep Antibiotics Working – Take Your Pharmacists Advice Stickers Pharmacy Bag stickers Treating your Respiratory Tract Infection patient information leaflets
Other Resources Patient Zone of NI Formulary - http://niformulary.hscni.net/PatientZone/YourMeds/ Pages/default.aspx Antibiotic Guardian - https://antibioticguardian.com/ Public Health Agency - https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/directorates/pub lic-health/health-protection/antibiotic-awareness
Dr Michael McBride Chief Medical Officer NI “ This is the greatest danger to human health and to medicines worldwide. ”
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