Antimicrobials – in particular antibiotics – are commonly prescribed medicines and, at any one time in secondary care, approximately 30 per cent of patients will be on antimicrobials. About 80 per cent of prescribed antibiotics are prescribed in primary care (i.e. general practice, out of hours and dental settings).

Evidence shows that antibiotic resistance is linked to antibiotic use. The clinical, public health and economic implications of antimicrobial resistance present a major threat to future healthcare. Prudent use of antibiotics through antimicrobial stewardship is essential for patient safety. This means ensuring that patients get the right antibiotic, at the right dose and time and for the right duration, in order to contain and control resistance.

What is antimicrobial resistance?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as “the resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by it”. The organisms that can become resistant include bacteria, fungi, viruses and some parasites and they are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial medicines. This can lead to standard treatments becoming ineffective and infections persisting, thereby increasing the risk of spreading. 

The WHO recently highlighted the high proportion of antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause common infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bloodstream infections in all regions of the world.