European Antibiotic Awareness Day and World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2017

European Antibiotics Awareness Day (EAAD) is a day to encourage responsible use of antibiotics and is held annually on November 18.

On 13-19 November, the World Health Organization (WHO) will organise the third World Antibiotic Awareness Week with the slogan “Seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before taking antibiotics”. The campaign calls on individuals, governments, and health and agriculture professionals to urgently take action to address antibiotic resistance.

Key Messages

  • Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate
  • The more you use an antibiotic, the more bacteria become resistant to it
  • Appropriate use of antibiotics will slow down the development of antibiotic resistance
  • Many antibiotics are prescribed and used for mild infections when they don’t need to be. All colds and most coughs, sinusitis, otitis media and sore throats often get better without antibiotics
  • Community pharmacies are well placed to help provide advice on over the counter medicines to treat symptoms
  • Individuals can take action by choosing a pledge and becoming an Antibiotic Guardian (see below)

Resources

  1. DH/PHE: European Antibiotics Awareness Day: 2017Resources – offers direct access to strategies, key messages, letters, quizzes, crosswords, posters, leaflets and resources relating to the day itself;
  2. Antibiotic Guardian – allows all individuals to choose a simple pledge about how you will make better use of antibiotics. If you haven’t done so already please take time to pledge;
  3. TARGET Antibiotics Toolkit – offers guidance to help clinicians decide when and what antibiotics to prescribe, education for primary care staff and patient leaflets, posters and videos to use during the consultation and in waiting areas;
  4. Europe Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Network website – useful general resource on antibiotic resistance and how to tackle it;
  5. PrescQIPP Antimicrobial Stewardship hub – a selection of resources and links for commissioners and providers of care;
  6. World Health Organisation: World Antibiotic Awareness Week website – campaign materials, facts on antimicrobial resistance, videos and quizzes.

Local Support

  • Sheffield Formulary Chapter 5 on Infections offers advice around the treatment of common primary care based infection (full and abbreviated guides).

Developed by Ian Hutchison on behalf of the Sheffield CCG Antimicrobial Stewardship Group