Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology professor from the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche, Elsa López Pintor, has been chosen to be the European representative of the Global Respiratory Infection Partnership (GRIP). Her role in this partnership will be promote educational, political and public health initiatives that strengthen the role of pharmaceutical personnel in the optimisation of the rational use of antibiotics and the prevention of bacterial resistance. The incorrect use of these drugs is one of the greatest threats to global health.
As well as the professor from UMH, the British company, Reckitt Benckisser, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) are also taking part in the partnership. As a starting point, Professor Elsa López, together with the president of the British Society for Antimicrobial Resistance and University of Leeds (United Kingdom) professor, Philip Howard, directed the international webinar: “GRIP European Area Work Group: the route map to antimicrobial resistance in Pharmacy”, which took place on 17th September at the International Pharmaceutical Federation. At the online seminar, the next European initiatives for enhancing the role of the pharmacist in the appropriate use of antibiotics for the next three years were discussed and decided.
The development of antibiotic resistant bacteria is one of the most serious medical problems of the XXIst century
The development of antibiotic resistant bacteria is one of the most serious medical problems of the XXIst century. The WHO calculates that it kills more than 700,000 people a year and could become the main cause of death by the year 2050. The pharmaceutical community could play an important role in resolving the problem by providing consumers with appropriate advice. For example, taking antibiotics when they are not necessary accelerates the onset of resistance, but neither should a prescribed treatment be abandoned early. Preventive factors such as proper hygiene and following vaccination schedules also have an impact.