This is the final day of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18-24 November). In a year where all corners of the globe have been affected by a deadly virus, today’s theme urges unity. We need a united approach to beating drug-resistance.
And we join with the World Health Organisation in calling for a whole societal approach to fight against antibiotic resistance. It’s an issue which could kill as many as 10 million per year by 2050. This includes government, agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, health carers and the public.
Antibiotic resistant residues are present in our rivers and even our graveyards. Farmers in some parts of the world still use antibiotics as growth promoters, instead of as drugs to save animals. People continue to buy antibiotics on the web, store them up for use later and share them with their family. They pester their GP for the drugs to treat colds and flu despite the fact that the cause may be viral. Antibiotics do not kill viruses.
A note from Professor Garner
Professor Colin Garner is the Chief Executive of Antibiotic Research UK. He says that the WHO’s rebadged “World Antimicrobial Awareness Week has achieved its goal of raising all of our knowledge about drug-resistance. But that is only the first step.”
“If we are to actually change this situation for the better, we need to campaign on antibiotic-resistance (see how to write about antibiotic resistance to your MP here) and become involved in Antibiotic Research UK and raise funds to find new medications, educate members of the public about the problem and provide funding to our Patient Support service.”
That is something that all the participants in the Great University Science Quiz and Great British Tea Party will have done this week.
Join the fight against antibiotic resistance today! There are lots of ways to get involved. To donate to our cause or become one of our cherished volunteers, go to https://www.antibioticresearch.org.uk/support-us/