Antimicrobial Resistance & Stewardship

Antimicrobials are critical tools for preventing and fighting disease in humans and animals. However,  increasing reports of antimicrobial resistance and drug-resistant bacteria threaten their efficacy in treating diseases for all living species.

We asked Dr. Catherine Duggan, CEO of the International Pharmaceutical Federation, about what clinical pharmacists can do in their roles to contribute to and promote antimicrobial stewardship.

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria pose a major public health threat because they limit treatment options for infectious diseases. Common ailments like urinary tract infections (UTIs), which have often been easily and quickly cured by antibiotics historically, are becoming harder to treat due to resistant bacteria. Not only does this prolong discomfort for those suffering from UTIs, it also presents the danger that the infection may lead to a more serious condition.

Data suggests that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased prevalence of antimicrobial resistant infections and increases in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). A recent study shows an alarming incidence of multidrug-resistant candidiasis in COVID-19 patients, which carries high morbidity and mortality rates. With this increasing prevalence of resistant infections, the utilization of surveillance tools such as whole genome sequencing (WGS) are critical in preventing the spread of these infections.

She was 25 and had no idea of what Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) was before her car accident. Here is her story.