Workshop on monitoring and optimizing antimicrobial use in Nepal held

29 July - 1 August | Kathmandu, Bagmati province - The Department of Drug Administration (DDA) and Quality Standards and Regulation Division (QSRD), Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), with support from WHO, held a workshop to enhance antimicrobial use (AMU) monitoring and optimize its use in Nepal. The event included two segments. The first part of the workshop was participated by over 30 representatives from the DDA, National Medicines Laboratory, Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal, Nepal Chemists and Druggists Association and Medicine Importer Association of Nepal. This session improved the knowledge and skill on AMU surveillance using WHO methodologies. The second session convened approximately 40 officials and representatives from the DDA, QSRD, pharmaceutical associations, veterinary sector, hospitals and partners to discuss data usage to develop evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions. The workshop, facilitated by experts from WHO headquarters, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia and WHO Country Office for Nepal, provided a platform for discussion on WHO methodology on surveillance of antimicrobial use and utilizing surveillance data to strengthen national policies that support optimizing the use of antimicrobials and sharing of international AMU and AMS implementation models. Participants also outlined a way forward to improve surveillance and use of antimicrobials, alongside AMS promotion in Nepal.