Updated approach to antimicrobial resistance released by FIP

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has issued new recommendations concerning the control of antimicrobial resistance — the ‘One Health’ approach.

This new approach recognises that the health of humans, animals and the ecosystem are interconnected and makes numerous recommendations to governments and pharmacists to address AMR in this all-encompassing context.

In this updated statement of policy, FIP calls on governments to ensure that all antibiotics listed in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) essential medicines list are available at all times. Additionally, the federation has advised that strategies are developed to ensure the sustainable production and registration of old antibiotics, which may be useful in addressing AMR and can potentially find use in cases where there are serious shortages of other antibiotics. Moreover, FIP stressed that antibiotics should be produced in pack sizes that corresponds to the usual course length.

Pharmacists have been advised to encourage immunisation generally (and specifically for influenza) and implement health education campaigns on the importance of protecting antibiotic efficacy — targeted at prescribers, patients and the veterinary and agriculture sectors.

Furthermore, FIP’s updated policy highlighted the importance of medicines disposal, urging governments to develop ‘return and disposal’ programmes for unused or expired antimicrobials. Pharmacists also have a part to play in these programmes, according to the federation, which specifies that they should proactively inform the public about the proper disposal of antibiotics.

“This new FIP statement reflects developments since our last statement on this topic in 2008, which include the declaration of AMR as a public health emergency and new global policies and commitments against this escalating threat to the control of infectious diseases. FIP will continue to support national pharmacy organisations in facilitating the essential contribution of pharmacists to action plans around the world, which include surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial use and resistance, their distribution and regulation, and infection prevention and control,” said FIP vice-president Dr Eduardo Savio.