Trustee for ANTRUK and pharmacist at the University of Aberdeen, Professor Christine Bond, spoke recently with Rose Marie Parr, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Scotland, about Scotland’s current strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and plans for tackling AMR in the future.
As Scotland’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Rose Marie provides professional leadership to NHS pharmaceutical care in Scotland and policy NHS pharmaceutical practice. She also advises ministers and the Scottish Government and influences policy on prescribing matters.
Rose Marie Parr, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Scotland
Christine Bond, Trustee at Antibiotic Research UK
Discussions looked towards the upcoming European Antibiotic Awareness Day held on Saturday 18th November, which ANTRUK will be marking with their annual Great British Tea Party.
Christine and Rose Marie also spoke positively of Scotland’s current strategy for tackling AMR, based on Scotland’s Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan 2014-18.
Work is being done by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, which publishes annual reports on antimicrobial prescribing and management in Scotland. Controlling Antimicrobial Resistance in Scotland (CARS) is also fighting against AMR through research, animal health recommendations, and education. The Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Institute – a partnership of Scottish Universities, NHS stakeholders and industry – has also been charged with tackling the threat to public health from emergent HAI and antimicrobial resistance.
However, both Christine and Rose Marie agreed that more could be done in Scotland to tackle AMR, and that it was important to continue raising the profile of AMR in Scotland. Both agreed that pharmacists have an increasingly important role to play in the fight against AMR.
Pharmacists have already shown huge support for our work at ANTRUK: Loraine and Darren raised over £230 for ANTRUK last month by completing the 22 mile Bridgenorth Walk. In the same month, Fiona McDonald completed a hill run in Scotland in aid of ANTRUK and has raised over £700!
If you feel inspired by Loraine, Darren, or Fiona, then please click here for a fundraising pack.
You can also make a difference by donating and helping ANTRUK in its goal to discover a new antibiotic therapy by 2020.
Together we can beat the superbugs!