Fwd: NEW WHO PATIENT SAFETY BOOK SHOWCASES WAYS TO SAFEGUARD MEDICATIONS

[Michael Wishart]

For information from the WHO Patient Safety Team.

Cheers
Michael Wishart
AICAList Administrator

Dear Colleagues,

08 March 2012 | Geneva – A new book “The evolving threat of antimicrobial resistance – Options for action”, was launched today by the World Health Organization. It showcases examples of actions taken to slow down drug resistance and preserve the ability of medicines to effectively treat many infectious diseases. The steps taken by governments, health facilities and providers and others are examples of what had been recommended in the 2001 WHO Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance.

The book examines the experiences with implementing some of those recommendations ten years on, the lessons learnt along the way and the gaps still remaining. It draws attention to areas where knowledge is lacking and where urgent action is still needed.

The aim of the book is to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and stimulate further efforts to meet the recommendations outlined in the 2001 strategy and the 2011 World Health Day policy package. It does so by examining the current situation, and setting out what has been done and what more could be done around the world, in high-, middle- and low-income countries.

While much of what is summarized in this publication is well known to the scientific community, awareness at the political level is essential, but often lacking. A specific objective is therefore to encourage policy decision-makers and the global community to commit to intensified action against AMR.

Over several decades, powerful medicines have been developed to treat diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, influenza and many bacterial infections. All the medicines used to treat these infections will eventually become ineffective due to the development of resistance. AMR has evolved to become a worldwide health threat. Of critical importance is the fact that every antibiotic ever developed is at risk. This makes it difficult and more expensive to treat many common infections, causing delays in effective treatment or, in worst cases, an inability to provide effective treatment at all.

“In terms of new replacement antibiotics, the pipeline is virtually dry. But much can be done,” says Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “This includes prescribing antibiotics appropriately and only when needed, following treatment correctly, restricting the use of antibiotics in food production to therapeutic purposes and tackling the problem of substandard and counterfeit medicines.”

Drug resistance causes increased and prolonged illness, a greater risk of complications and higher death rates. Infections which are increasingly resistant to antibiotics are causing a heavy disease burden, particularly in developing countries.

Some of the examples of a number of successful strategies and measures highlighted in the book include:
In Thailand, the “Antibiotic Smart Use” programme reduces the prescribing of and demand for antibiotics by both prescribers and patients. It showed an 18%46% reduction in antibiotic use while 97% of targeted patients recovered or improved regardless of whether they had taken antibiotics.
A programme in pharmacies in Viet Nam consisting of inspection for prescription-only drugs; education on pharmacy treatment guidelines; and group meetings of pharmacy staff have resulted in a significant reduction in antibiotic dispensing for acute respiratory infections.
In Norway, the introduction of effective vaccines in farmed salmon and trout together with improved fish health management reduced the annual use of antimicrobials in farmed fish by 98% between 1987 and 2004.
In 2010, the University of Zambia School of Medicine revised their undergraduate medical curriculum. The topics of AMR and rational use of medicines were prominently inserted. The aim is that graduates enter clinical practice with the right skills and attitudes to be both effective practitioners
and committed stewards of AMR containment.

More information on the book, a link to download it and details on how to order a copy can be found on WHO Patient Safety’s web page: http://www.who.int/patientsafety/en/.

The WHO Patient Safety Team

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Michael Wishart
Infection Control Coordinator
St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside & St Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane
Brisbane, QLD
michael.wishart@svha.org.au

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