Organised by Reckitt
Chair(s)
Trevor Gore Trustee of the Self-Care Forum, UK
Introduction:
The session takes a debate format to explore the pros and cons of pharmacists as authorized prescribers of scheduled antibiotics and the impact this could have on appropriate antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance using acute respiratory tract infections as an illustrative example. The teams will challenge each other and present their arguments for or against the prescribing of antibiotics by community pharmacists using their experience of the pharmacy first approaches to the management of common ailments including the prescribing of antibiotics which are in place in South Africa, Australia and the UK. Ultimately the audience will decide which team presented the most compelling case.
Team 1: Pharmacist antibiotic prescribing is the logical way to ensure appropriate use:
- South Africa: Sabiha Essack, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
- UK: Victoria Rutter, Commonwealth Pharmacy Association
- Australia: John Bell, University of Technology Sydney
Team 2: Pharmacist antibiotic prescribing has the potential to increase inappropriate use:
- South Africa: Andrew Gray, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
- UK: Tracey Thornley, University of Nottingham
- Australia: Rebekah Moles, University of Sydney
Programme:
| 07:30 – 07:40 | Moderator introduction |
| 07:40 – 08:20 | Team 1 and Team 2 debate their positions for or against pharmacist prescribing of antibiotics |
| 08:20 – 08:30 | Team leads summarise their position for the audience |
| 08:30 – 08:40 | Question and answer session and voting for the winner |
| 08:40 – 08:45 | Key observations & closing remarks |
Learning objectives:
1. To create awareness on the need for continued efforts from pharmacists to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics.
2. To explore the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches to optimizing antimicrobial use using Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) as an illustrative example, including but not limited to legislative change as well as community-pharmacy driven behaviour change.
3. To explore the pharmacists’ role in mitigating antimicrobial resistance by reducing inappropriate antimicrobial use, practicing antimicrobial stewardship at community and hospital levels and undertaking research and development on antimicrobials.
Take home messages:
Pharmacists are central to the management of Common Ailments including acute upper respiratory tract infections like sore throat and their role is expanding with recent legislative changes and pilot schemes.
Acute upper respiratory tract infections are frequently managed with inappropriate antibiotics either prescribed or obtained by other means.
There is more pharmacists can do in the community setting to effectively triage, educate and manage medication choices and ensure appropriate antibiotic usage and therefore manage resistance potential.
