Wed 19 November 2025

AdPha acknowledges World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

This World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week we highlight the escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) - and the essential role pharmacists play in combating it through strong, proactive antimicrobial stewardship.

AdPha and its members — led by our Infectious Diseases Leadership Committee -- are committed to advancing awareness and action on AMR. At MM2025 starting next week, this challenge will be explored via multiple presentations. From national trends in sustainable antimicrobial use, optimising sepsis outcomes, bacteriophage use in complex resistant infections and pharmacist-led penicillin allergy assessment initiatives, our members are helping reinforce that pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship is not optional, but essential. 

Infectious Diseases Leadership Committee Co-Chairs Minyon Avent FANZCAP (InfDis, Steward) and Misha Devchand FANZCAP (InfDis, Steward) say the cost of inaction is profound. 

'Without effective antimicrobials, the foundations of modern medicine - from cancer therapy to surgery - are at risk. Patients will face longer illness, extended hospital stays and higher treatment costs, placing further pressure on the health system and the patients it serves.

AdPha President Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt) says pharmacists are central to protecting antimicrobial effectiveness. 

'As outlined in Pharmacy Forecast Australia 2025, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are essential to strong surveillance, rapid response and effective antimicrobial stewardship. Their work across immunisation, medicine supply and frontline care positions them to drive early detection, public health education and coordinated responses to emerging threats.

‘Ensuring dedicated stewardship pharmacists in every hospital - and embedded pharmacists in aged care - is critical to preventing inappropriate antimicrobial use and safeguarding vulnerable patients.'