Optimizing use of antimicrobial medicines
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Optimizing use of antimicrobial medicines

Overuse and misuse, as well as lack of access, to quality-assured antimicrobials are the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  

To address these, the World Health Organization provides practical guidance such as the WHO Integrated Antimicrobial Stewardship toolkit, evidence-based policy recommendations, and tailored country-level support to optimize antimicrobial use through the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes. 

WHO collaborates with a variety of partners to address overuse and misuse, while promoting access to quality-assured antimicrobials.

Impact

Antimicrobial

Stewardship Toolkit

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes in lower-middle income countries was launched in 2019.

Toolkit

The AWaRe Campaign

helping policy makers reduce resistance without penalizing patients.

AWaRe

Essential medicines

Antibiotics

database of the essential medicines lists for 137 countries, including antibiotics.

Dashboard

Publications

International instruments on the use of antimicrobials across the human, animal and plant sectors
20 November 2020

International instruments on the use of antimicrobials across the human, animal and plant sectors

The publication International instruments on the use of antimicrobials across the human, animal and plant sectors was developed by the Tripartite...

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22 October 2019

Antimicrobial stewardship programmes in health-care facilities in low-and middle-income countries: a...

This toolkit aims to support countries in implementing Objective 4 of the Global Action Plan – ‘‘optimize the use of antimicrobial medicines”...

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Meeting report: antibiotic shortages: magnitude, causes and possible solutions
28 August 2019

Meeting report: antibiotic shortages: magnitude, causes and possible solutions

The meeting was organized and hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and the Norwegian Institute of Public...

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Executive summary: the selection and use of essential medicines 2019: report of the 22nd WHO Expert Committee on the selection and use of essential medicines
7 August 2019

Executive summary: the selection and use of essential medicines 2019: report of the 22nd WHO Expert Committee...

This Summary reports the recommendations made by the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines for the 2019 Essential Medicines...

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WHO report on surveillance of antibiotic consumption
22 July 2019

WHO report on surveillance of antibiotic consumption

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to health and human development, affecting our ability to treat a range of infections. Treatments for a growing...

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20 March 2019

Critically important antimicrobials for human medicine : 6th revision

The WHO Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AGISAR) reviews and updates the WHO list of critically important antimicrobials...

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WHO Competency Framework for Health Workers’ Education and Training on Antimicrobial Resistance
20 November 2018

WHO Competency Framework for Health Workers’ Education and Training on Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major health and socioeconomic threat, with the potential for devastating consequences to the health of millions...

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Monitoring global progress on addressing antimicrobial resistance
16 July 2018

Monitoring global progress on addressing antimicrobial resistance

The global tripartite self-assessment survey of country progress in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a component of a broader approach for...

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Improving infection prevention and control at the health facility: an interim practical manual
3 January 2018

Improving infection prevention and control at the health facility: an interim practical manual

This practical manual is designed to support health-care facilities to achieve effective implementation of their infection prevention and control (IPC)...

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Meeting Reports