Objective Three of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Strategy – 2020 and Beyond aims to:
- improve understanding of the causes and effects of AMR
- support better antibiotic prescribing and use
- raise awareness about what we can do to reduce AMR.
Why is this important?
The way we behave, such as using antibiotics when they are not needed, contributes to AMR developing and spreading. People who use antibiotics and people who prescribe and dispense them need to be aware of:
Education for prescribers and dispensers is important to help them to:
- follow good practice when prescribing and dispensing antibiotics
- encourage and practise good infection prevention and control
- consider ways to treat infections without antibiotics
- talk with patients, farmers and clients about the spread of AMR.
View full details of Objective Three of the National AMR Strategy – 2020 and Beyond, including specific priority areas of action.
What are we doing?
Initiatives for human health include:
- NPS MedicineWise provides information and resources to support patients and health professionals to understand AMR and improve antibiotic use.
- The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, with Bond University, has developed patient decision aids. These aids support prescribers to share decision making with their patients about the use of antibiotics.
- Antibiotic Awareness Week is a global event that happens every year in November. The event aims to promote a better understanding of AMR and the responsible use of antibiotics.
- Australia will introduce a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework as part of our Budget 20–21 initiatives.
Initiatives for animal health include:
- The Australian Animal Sector National Antimicrobial Resistance Plan 2018 was developed to guide stakeholders on areas that need to be addressed. This will be supported by a sector-specific action plan.
- Government and industry participation at local seminars and national conferences raises awareness of antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship and prescribing guidelines amongst veterinary practitioners.
- Education content in antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship is provided for veterinarians through the Australian Veterinary Association, Animal Health Australia, and Wildlife Australia.
We also inform staff and stakeholders in numerous health, industry and government organisations about how they can stop the spread of AMR.
Find out more about what partners from across Australia are doing to support Objective Three of the National AMR Strategy – 2020 and Beyond.
Share your activity or research project that supports Objective Three of the National AMR Strategy – 2020 and Beyond.