Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship

Using pharmacist expertise and knowledge to fight antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a huge challenge in healthcare today. It means antibiotics could become less effective, and infections more dangerous.

We’re fighting back.

More than 1.6 million people visit their pharmacist every day. We have a responsibility to those people and the public: to make sure they know the right and wrong ways to use these medications.

RPS is championing antimicrobial stewardship. With guidance and training, we’re empowering pharmacists to lead the way in the correct use of antimicrobials.

We’re partnering with royal colleges and medical organisations to encourage a team approach to this problem, and working with the government to turn our recommendations into policy.

We’re shouting about this issue in the media, to raise awareness of AMR – and the importance of using medicines correctly.

And we’re supporting pharmaceutical scientists in developing new antibiotics to help treat the most threatening infections.

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Dawne Garrett Professional Lead, Older People & Dementia Care, Royal College of Nursing:

“We welcome the RPS policy on AMS and see a clear role for pharmacists, working collaboratively with their nursing and medical colleagues, in reducing antimicrobial resistance in line with the national AMS strategy. Pharmacists can work with nurses to ensure patients only get the antibiotics appropriate for their condition and they can also provide advice on self-care when antibiotics are not appropriate. All healthcare professionals need to work effectively together to provide antimicrobial stewardship and reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance.”

Philip Howard, President Elect of the British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy:

"We are delighted that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society recognises how  important collaboration across the multidisciplinary team is in the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship. BSAC looks forward to working with the RPS to make sure the medical, nursing and pharmacy profession’s work together, across all clinical settings, to improve the use of antimicrobials.”