Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship

Pharmacy guide

How can you improve antimicrobial use in your busy day-to-day pharmacy practice?

Follow our ten top ways to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promote safer antimicrobial use.

And we've got more practical tips to promote antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) for better and safer antimicrobial use. 

^{Published: 28 August 2022}

Top ten ways you can fight AMR and promote safer antimicrobial use

1. Prevent antimicrobial overuse – prescribe appropriately and advise on self-care and self-limiting conditions
2. Prevent antimicrobial misuse – check appropriateness of prescriptions and advise people
3. Educate patients about the effective use of antimicrobials – advise on self-care and self-limiting conditions, counsel and explain how antimicrobials work, and distribute leaflets
4. Train and educate your team
5. Promote best use of NHS resources - e.g. Minor Ailments Service and influenza vaccination – use our pharmacy guide on Setting up a flu vaccination service
6. Pledge to become an Antibiotic Guardian - visit antibioticguardian.com and support the better use of antibiotics
7. Get involved – join local AMS groups/networks and participate in an amnesty - our AMS resources page has more information
8. Raise awareness – promote campaigns, e.g., World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (November), put up posters, engaging on social media, promoting Antibiotic Guardian pledges - see our AMS resources page for further information on campaigns and initiatives
9. Audit your AMS activity – our Clinical audits pharmacy guide will be helpful
10. Maintain hand hygiene in the workplace - use alcohol-based hand rubs and watch the NHS.UK handwashing video.

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