Allergan, CDC join together to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance

Allergan recently partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to raise awareness about the dangers of the overuse of antibiotics.

As part of the 2015 Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, which runs through Nov. 22, the global pharmaceutical company will distribute CDC materials relating to antibiotic resistance to health care practitioners around the nation.

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health concern that occurs when an antibiotic can't effectively control or prevent the growth of bacteria that cause infections. The CDC reports that antibiotic-resistant infections affect more than 2 million people in the United States each year and cause more than 20,000 deaths.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus are among current bacterial drug-resistant threats.

Joining forces with the CDC is one of numerous efforts Allergan is taking to show its support for the proper use of antibiotics to prevent resistance. The Ireland-based company is taking part in many large surveillance studies intended to analyze resistance trends and learn about the effectiveness of antibiotics for certain pathogens.

"Antibiotic stewardship is critical to protecting the antibiotics we currently have available to treat these serious, drug-resistant infections, as well as preventing the additional spread of these pathogens," Allergan Chief Medical Officer Gavin Corcoran said. "It is important for healthcare providers to engage in appropriate antibiotic stewardship practices, such as avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use; being aware of antibiotic resistance patterns in our communities; and stopping the spread of these organisms in hospitals and communities through effective infection control measures."