Publish date: 22 November 2024
A pharmacist is urging patients to use antibiotics as prescribed so the medicines continue to be a vital healthcare tool in the future.
Richard Clansey, Antimicrobial Pharmacist at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, highlighted the issue as part of World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), which promotes antibiotics awareness.
He called on the public to continue to support efforts to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
Richard said: “One of the biggest things patients can do is to ensure they take antibiotics as prescribed, never save them for later or share them with others.
“Please also be aware that antibiotics don’t work on infections caused by viruses. Common colds and most coughs or sore throats get better without antibiotics. For many minor illnesses, you can speak to your local pharmacist who can provide advice on over-the-counter medicines and safe self-care at home.
“As also demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the main measures by which infections can be reduced both in number and severity is through vaccines. Vaccines can reduce the need for antimicrobial treatment and therefore minimise the selection pressures which cause antimicrobial-resistant strains to emerge.”
Richard and his Mid Cheshire Hospitals colleagues have been raising awareness of AMR - antimicrobial resistance - this week, by hosting stalls and passing on information at Leighton Hospital.
They want to highlight how everyone can work together to ensure antibiotics continue to be a vital tool for treating bacterial infections.
Antimicrobial resistance is a medical term that means bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to the medicines used to treat them. It is a threat to humans, animals, plants and the environment.
When antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective, infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
World AMR Awareness Week promotes joint actions by leaders and communities to highlight the importance of using these products correctly. This year’s theme is ‘Educate. Advocate. Act Now’.
For more information about WAAW, visit https://
Richard Clansey, Antimicrobial Pharmacist (centre) with colleagues in the Pharmacy at Leighton Hospital.
