International pharmaceutical groups target anti-microbial resistance

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is leading action on the role of pharmacists in addressing the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a result of advocacy by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

FIP, the global body representing pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, will develop a briefing document on the role of pharmacists in AMR, which will be ready for FIP Annual congress in Düsseldorf, Germany, starting Sept. 29. The document will try to prompt action on the issue of antibiotics and AMR and act as a basis for future work within FIP on this topic.

PSA National President Grant Kardachi said that AMR is one of the most serious health issues affecting the global population, and not only is a much greater investment in identifying new antibiotics needed, but also a much greater response by those at the front line of care. RPS and PSA believe that AMR is a serious public health risk that needs to be treated as a high priority within national and international strategies.

“We worked with PSA in leading this initiative because pharmacists can play a leading role in addressing this serious issue,” RPS President Ashok Soni said. “We have an important responsibility to ensure appropriate use of anti-microbials.”