Between November 18th and 24th, the World Health Organization – with its slogan Antimicrobials: Handle with care – will promote and raise awareness about the correct use of antimicrobials, highlighting that they are a precious resource and should be used prudently. As a company that fights against Antimicrobial Resistance, at Clover Biosoft we support this kind of campaigns in order to highlight the importance and impact that AMR has in our lives.
COVID-19 pandemic has notably changed antibiotics use in many countries of the WHO european region. Some countries have seen this use decline as a side-effect of precautionary measures such as lock down, physical distancing and improved hand hygiene. Unfortunately, it has risen alarmingly in other situations because people mistakenly believe antibiotics will help treat or protect against COVID-19 so they purchase them without a proper consultation or prescription. In addition, many doctors have ended up prescribing antibiotics too often to patients with viral respiratory diseases due to the lack of access to diagnoses.
This year’s WAAW campaign, with its theme of Spread awareness, stop resistance aims to increase awareness of global Antimicrobial Resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers, farmers, animal health professionals and policy-makers in order to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
COVID-19 is only the latest in a succession of zoonotic infections transmitted from animals to humans with catastrophic consequences. Therefore, addressing AMR requires a holistic and multisectoral approach – referred to as a One Health approach -. This approach is also collaborative and transdisciplinary, recognizing the interconnections between people, animals and plants, and their shared environment.
During WAAW 2021, WHO Europe will be promoting not only the responsible and prudent use of antibiotics across sectors, but also other essential antimicrobials beyond antibiotics which are also affected by resistance, all with different professions working together – from vets to doctors, pharmacists to farmers -.
Press Note:
https://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/events/events/2021/11/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week