Antibiotic Amnesty: Engaging with the Public across the Midlands Region of England

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat. The hoarding, sharing and unsafe disposal of unused or expired antibiotics in domestic waste streams or sewage systems by patients may contribute to the risk of acquiring or spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Community pharmacies in the UK accept returned medicines for safe disposal, including antibiotics, but awareness of this is low. We organised an antibiotic amnesty campaign in the Midlands region of England; the aim of the campaign was to raise awareness of the risks of AMR and highlight the safe disposal of antibiotics via community pharmacy, timed to coincide with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week in November 2021.

Keywords

• antimicrobial resistance
• antibiotic
• antibiotic amnesty
• community pharmacy
• antimicrobial stewardship
• awareness