A strategy to tackle antimicrobial resistance was launched by the Department of Health on June 12. The strategy is based on surveillance of resistant organisms, prudent antimicrobial use and infection control. The Department includes pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry in the strategy's list of key players.
The strategy sets out measures to promote optimal antimicrobial use, such as prescribing support and encouraging realistic public expectation for antimicrobial prescribing. On prescribing support, it says that the Department will feed into the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's programme on shared goals between pharmacists and other health professionals. The strategy suggests greater coverage of antimicrobial resistance in undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses, including pharmacy, and also in continuing professional development.
Optimal prescribing could also be achieved through the work of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and the Medicines Devices Agency (MDA). Reviewing the legal status of non-prescription antimalarial, antiviral and antifungal agents and promoting adherence to prescription only status for antibacterial agents within the European Union and elsewhere are two of the measures to be carried out by the MCA. Evaluating the need for restricting dressings containing antibiotics in the UK is to be a role of the MDA. Infection control in both hospitals and the community is also given as an action area.
The strategy suggests that priorities could be set for research in areas such as dosing and duration of antimicrobials, use of delayed prescriptions and vaccine development.
Announcing the publication of the strategy, the health minister, Mr John Denham, said: "This is an international issue. This morning the World Health Organisation launched its report [see this page] on overcoming the bugs which resist antibiotic treatment. I am pleased to set out our contribution to tackling this programme."
The report (UK antimicrobial resistance strategy and action plan) is available free from the Department of Health, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH. It can also be found on the Department's website (www.doh.gov.uk/arbstrat.htm).