Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance and stewardship

The fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a priority for FIP for many years. FIP and pharmacists globally are committed to being the part of the solution. AMR is a major global public health threat that can have profound impacts on international, regional and national health care and economies. It is now more important than ever to act, because with the emergence of untreatable drug-resistant infections and diseases, we may soon find ourselves in yet another public health emergency. Pharmacy needs to advocate for fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in all contexts of pharmaceutical practice, science and education. This aligns with the FIP Development Goals 16 (Communicable disease), 17 (Antimicrobial stewardship) and 19 (Patient safety) as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. FIP AMR activities span education, policy and public health, with related work in the area of vaccination and safety of medicines, that typically run across all six WHO regions.

FIP Commission on AMR

FIP continues to facilitate the essential contributions of the pharmacy profession to AMR reduction around the world (e.g., through surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial use and resistance, antibiotics distribution and regulation) and is driving action through the FIP Commission on AMR. It was established as a specific focussed group of experts, to provide a network for mutual learning, advice and sharing of priorities but also for FIP leadership to commission work, in line with the global threat specified by WHO on AMR.

Mission and objectives

The FIP Commission on AMR brings together experts from within FIP membership to provide expertise and advice to FIP on matters related to its scope (main and novel problem areas, best practice and emerging trends in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), etc.). In addition, to establish new contacts, and work together on joint projects that add value and are aligned with the FIP Strategic Plan.

Taking an inclusive approach to antimicrobials (antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, biocides, disinfectants etc.), the “FIP Commission on AMR ” has the following objectives:

To provide ad-hoc technical expertise and advice on AMR to FIP and its members;
To provide ad-hoc technical expertise and advice for FIP’s collaboration with partners, namely the World Health Organization (WHO), in AMR in all contexts of pharmacy practice, education and the pharmaceutical sciences as they relate to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS);
To explore global initiatives and developments on AMR and AMS;
To keep abreast of trends in AMS;
To provide guidance around pharmacists’ role in AMR;
To facilitate the gathering and sharing of best practices in education for FIP members on AMR.

Members

The Commission is co-chaired by Prof. Cátia Caneiras, (Portugal) and FIP vice president Ms Raquel Martínez, (Spain) as the Bureau Liaision officer.
The members of the group are:

Ms Ria Benko (Hungary)
Dr Luna Bizri (Lebanon)
Dr Ahmed Elshafei (Egypt)
Ms Cristina Fernández Barrantes (Costa Rica)
Dr Darija Kuruc Poje (Croatia)
Dr Younis Smael (Iraq)
Prof. Tracey Thornley (United Kingdom)
Prof. Fatima Sakeena Hameem (Sri Lanka)
Ms Yvonne Yirenkyiwaa Esseku (Ghana)
Dr Dalal Hammoudi (Qatar)
Ms Fiona Doukas (Australia)
Ms Chin-Yen Yeo (Australia)
Dr Laurel Leganza (USA)
Mr Eduardo Savio (Uruguay)

Prof. Sabiha Essack (South Africa) and Ms Victoria Rutter (United Kingdom) are the observers of the group.

Activities

Since 2015, FIP commemorates the World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), which aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health professionals and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

During the last WAAW in 2024, FIP emphasised the importance of effective sore throat management to help reduce AMR, with messages tailored for pharmacists communicated through a multi-channel approach: a quick reference, a social media campaign, and a digital event dedicated to the topic. Through these efforts, the federation aimed to equip pharmacists with the knowledge and tools they need, to manage sore throat cases responsibly, helping to minimise unnecessary antibiotic use.

Annual FIP AMR related digital events are available here.

Resources

AMR repository

FIP has created a repository of AMR resources to support different countries with materials around AMR with a particular focus on activities and work being done by pharmacists globally. The resources have been collated and organised by regions. They include educational materials, research publications, reports and courses that can be used globally to support the enhancement of the pharmacist’s role in AMS.

Reports and statements

Global advocacy

FIP contributed to the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) consultations to the Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance and is ever since collaborating with the WHO on the plan’s implementation.

In addition, FIP was one of the reviewers of the WHO Competency Framework for Health Workers’ Education and Training on Antimicrobial Resistance, key resource for health care professionals and their educators. Consequently, FIP contributed to the WHO Health Workers’ Education and Training on Antimicrobial Resistance: Curriculum Guide. FIP’s contribution on both publications is acknowledged. Furthermore, FIP continues to advocate for pharmacists' role in AMR mitigation and their contributions to multidisciplinary AMS teams.

In addition, FIP actively collaborates with healthcare professionals worldwide to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote AMS and enhance the prudent use of antimicrobial medications. Through multidisciplinary partnerships, such as being a founding member of the World Health Professionals Alliance, we work to strengthen healthcare systems, improve patient outcomes, and drive sustainable global health solutions. Our 2024 WHPA webinar Tackling AMR in a Changing World discussed the key financial and operational challenges different governments and health systems face in implementing effective AMR strategies.

Upcoming events

FIP is organising various sessions related to antimicrobial resistance at the FIP World Congress on Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Copenhagen, Denmark, which will be held from 31 August to 3 September 2025. For example, there will be a session titled “Empowering pharmacists for safe and responsible antibiotic access in community health" and it will showcase how pharmacists dispense and select antibiotics without a prescription within the healthcare delivery by improving access, reducing physician workload, and providing timely care for minor infections.

Please contact Ms Paula Cohen for more information about the Commission at paula@fip.org.

Last update 25 April 2025

Pharmacists combat antimicrobial resistance