IPSF Declaration on Pharmacists’ role in combating AMR: Dispelling myths and increasing its awareness

IPSF DECLARATION ON PHARMACISTS’ ROLE IN COMBATING AMR,

DISPELLING MYTHS AND INCREASING ITS AWARENESS.

The International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) and its Member Organisations,

Recognising that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to be a global concern, due to inappropriate or excessive use of antimicrobial products, which needs to be tackled urgently,

Fully aware that AMR threatens global health as well as the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites,

Alarmed by the fact that approximately 484, 000 people developed multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis globally in 2018 and AMR is complicating the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria, in addition to potentially leading the world into a pre-antibiotic era,

Deeply concerned by the financial burden and escalating health care costs for patients with resistant infections in comparison to the costs incurred by patients with non-resistant agents, factoring in a longer duration of illness, additional tests, complications, and use of more expensive drugs or associations of drugs,

Convinced that AMR is a global problem that can only be addressed if all stakeholders work together through an integrated approach and international collaboration, as resistant bacteria are not confined by international borders,

Acknowledging that pharmacists have a major role in combating AMR in different sectors such as Pharmaceutical Industry, Hospital Pharmacy Practice, Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Community Pharmacy Practice, Research and Development, Academia, and Policy and Advocacy, among others,

Further acknowledging that pharmacists play a vital role in practising and encouraging antimicrobial stewardship as well as the proper use of antimicrobial medication,

Believing that it is important to empower pharmacists to educate the public and other healthcare professionals on the proper use of antimicrobial medications,

Reaffirming the role of IPSF as a youth healthcare organisation that has established numerous initiatives in the past for pharmacy students and recent graduates in different areas will continue its efforts in the area of antimicrobial stewardship. 

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