The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7494 p329
22 March 2008

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News summary

Scottish prescribing group to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Improving the prescribing of antimicrobials is a key aim of a new action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance, published this week by the Scottish Government.

The report sets out a number of approaches to achieve prudent prescribing. These include education and training in prescribing of antimicrobials, and implementation and monitoring of antimicrobial prescribing policies.

In addition, a new Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group is to be established that will include pharmacists, prescribers, microbiologists and infection control professionals.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon promised funding to support the strategy. “It is vital that the information we have on antibiotic resistance is as robust as possible and that’s why I’m delighted to announce £1.25m for NHS boards to provide modern equipment to provide better monitoring,” she said.

The five-year “Scottish management of antimicrobial resistance action plan” is available online.