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The Vital Role of Pharmacists in Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern that requires effective antimicrobial stewardship efforts. In your role as a pharmacist and a frontline community healthcare professional, you play a pivotal role in promoting responsible antimicrobial use. Moreover, recent changes in British Columbia have expanded the antimicrobial prescribing authority of pharmacists including antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals, further enhancing your involvement in combating AMR. There are a number of ways in which you can contribute to and promote responsible antimicrobial use in the province as a pharmacist.
Promoting appropriate antibiotic prescribing
Pharmacists in the province now have the authority to prescribe antimicrobials for minor ailments. This expanded role enables you to directly contribute to appropriate antimicrobial prescribing. By conducting thorough assessments and leveraging your expertise, you can ensure that antimicrobial therapy is tailored to each patient's specific needs. This personalized approach minimizes unnecessary antibiotic use, reduces the risk of resistance, and helps preserve the effectiveness of these crucial medications.
Educating patients and healthcare providers
Pharmacists have always been valued educators in antimicrobial stewardship efforts. With the recent prescribing authority expansion in BC, you are now better positioned to educate patients and healthcare providers about appropriate antibiotic use. Pharmacists can guide patients in understanding when antibiotics are necessary and raising awareness about the risks of self-medication and antibiotic misuse. You can also collaborate closely with other healthcare providers to disseminate evidence-based guidelines and promote responsible prescribing practices.
Enhanced access and timely treatment
By allowing pharmacists to prescribe antimicrobials for minor ailments, BC has increased access to timely treatment for patients. In your role you can promptly assess and address common infections, such as urinary tract infections, uncomplicated skin infections, or conjunctivitis. This expanded role reduces barriers to care, empowers patients to seek appropriate treatment without unnecessary delays, and helps prevent the potential escalation of minor infections into more serious conditions.
The recent expansion of prescribing authority for pharmacists in British Columbia has further solidified your integral role in antimicrobial stewardship efforts. The Community Antimicrobial Stewardship program at the BC Centre for Disease Control has a number of resources available to assist you in these efforts.
Bugs & Drugs
Bugs & Drugs is an online antimicrobial reference providing treatment recommendations for many of the minor ailments for which you can now diagnose and prescribe medication for. Bugs & Drugs is available as a mobile friendly website at www.bugsanddrugs.org, and is also available for free download as an app from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Community Antimicrobial Stewardship Continuing Education Course
A free continuing education course created by the Community Antimicrobial Stewardship program and certified for continuing education credits by the College of Family Physicians of Canada is available for all community practitioners in BC. The course is organized into 13 separate modules focusing on common concerns seen in primary care, with treatment recommendations and case studies. The course can be accessed by creating a free account on Learning Hub.
Antibioticwise.ca
Antibiotic Wise is an online hub for patient information on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. The website can be a useful tool for answering patient questions and allaying any concerns when you determine antibiotics are not necessary.
By promoting appropriate prescribing, educating patients and healthcare providers, enhancing access to timely treatment, and maintaining responsible prescribing practices, pharmacists continue to play a vital role in combatting AMR. The expansion of your scope of practice empowers pharmacists in BC to make a significant impact on patient outcomes while safeguarding the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents for future generations.
Nick Smith, Project Manager, Community Antimicrobial Stewardship
BC Centre for Disease Control
Nick is the Project Manager for the Community Antimicrobial Stewardship program at the BC Centre for Disease Control, which includes the Antibiotic Wise initiative and Do Bugs Need Drugs? education program.