The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia says all health professionals and consumers have a responsibility to reduce the dependence on antibiotics.
New research shows Australia continues to lag behind other nations on antimicrobial use in the community and around 50 per cent of patients surveyed with a cold or upper respiratory infection had an antibiotic prescribed when it was not needed, according to the Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA).
PSA National President Joe Demarte said pharmacists can play an important role in antimicrobial stewardship.
“The pharmacy profession in partnership with the Federal Government, other health practitioners and consumers, must make an effective and sustained contribution to a national response to antimicrobial resistance,” said Mr Demarte. “Advice about the use of antibiotics must be disseminated to consumers, in addition to antibiotic awareness weeks and other time-limited campaigns.”
Mr Demarte said many people suffering from flu or respiratory problems may think a treatment with antibiotics is needed.
“However pharmacists can give the proper counselling for these health problems, ensuring that patients have a good understanding of their illness and realistic expectations of its progression,” he said.
“Pharmacists regularly assist patients, even when a prescriber has made the appropriate evidence-based decision not to prescribe an antimicrobial. In some cases, patients may require advice on symptomatic treatments.”
Mr Demarte said PSA continued to work closely with the Federal Government to raise consumer awareness of antimicrobial resistance and increase vaccination rates to prevent infections.
PSA said it also supports new initiatives that encourage better communication between prescribers, consumers and pharmacists around the intent of delayed prescriptions or repeats for antibiotics.
“There are innovative projects underway, including by the University of Queensland, as part of a program offering advice to a patient to only have a prescription filled at a pharmacy after a few days if symptoms are not settling or become more severe. A sticker will be applied to the prescription labelling it as a delayed prescription,” said Mr Demarte.
“These are perfect opportunities for pharmacists to have a conversation with consumers about antimicrobial resistance.”
