NPS Media Releases – Seven Recent Media Releases

20 NOVEMBER 2015
INTRODUCTION TO ANTIMICROBIAL PRESCRIBING: NEW HEALTH PROFESSIONAL COURSE

Coinciding with Antibiotic Awareness Week and complementing this year’s theme ‘Antibiotics: Handle with care’ is the release of Introduction to antimicrobial prescribing, a new online learning course for health professionals and students. The course focuses on and provides an opportunity to reinforce knowledge of appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.

Available through the NPS MedicineWise online learning portal, this free Group 2 CPD accredited activity is the latest addition to a suite of courses that also includes:

* Bacteraemia 2015

* Catheter-associated urinary tract infections 2015

* Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) 2015

* Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis 2015.

Each course has been developed by experts in collaboration with NPS MedicineWise and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) and provides participants with an opportunity to reinforce their knowledge of appropriate antimicrobial prescribing using case studies in hospital settings.

NPS MedicineWise CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says, “The new course improves awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate prescribing. Participants are taken through a case study approach that enables a step wise focus to treating a patient with infection.”

The full collection of online courses addressing antimicrobial prescribing in the hospital setting can be accessed using a computer or mobile device and are available at www.learn.nps.org.au.

For more information on Antibiotic Awareness Week, go to www.nps.org.au/aaw.

20 NOVEMBER 2015
CALL FOR ‘CULTURAL SHIFT’ ON ANTIBIOTIC USE

NPS MedicineWise has used Antibiotic Awareness Week (16-22 November) to call for a ‘cultural shift’ in the way antibiotics are used in Australia to combat the serious health issue of antibiotic resistance against a backdrop of virtually no development of new antibiotics.

NPS MedicineWise CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says we need a ‘cultural shift’ in Australia to ensure antibiotics are used only when necessary. This way antibiotics will be preserved and continue to work effectively against bacterial infections.

“Antibiotics are one of the most important medical advances of the last century, and have transformed medical practice to enable complex surgery like transplants and treatment of life-threatening bacterial infections,” says Dr Weekes.

“We have an uneasy situation in Australia where we are consuming antibiotics at rates well above the OECD average, reported resistance to antibiotics is increasing, and there are virtually no new antibiotics in the drug development pipeline. This is particularly concerning when you consider there have been so few antibiotics that work in a novel way discovered and developed for use in humans in the past four decades.”

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are both factors that are likely to be contributing to the decreasing amount of time it takes for bacteria to adapt to new drugs. Any exposure to an antibiotic gives bacteria the opportunity to become resistant, as does taking antibiotics when they are not needed or not using them as prescribed. The more antibiotics are used or not taken correctly, the more likely it is that bacteria will change and become resistant. When this happens, antibiotics that previously would have killed the bacteria, or stopped them from multiplying, no longer work.

The situation is so dire that the IMB Centre for Superbug Solutions at The University of Queensland has launched the Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery (CO-ADD) to discover new drugs to treat infection. CO-ADD Director Professor Matt Cooper says that without new antibiotics we may not have modern medicine in the future—and that we’re dangerously close to heading back to a pre-antibiotic era, when even simple infections caused death.

CO-ADD researchers aim to find a new class of antibiotics by screening compounds submitted by academics around the world for free, hoping to identify those compounds that work against bacteria.

“Researchers have found all of the ‘low-hanging fruit’ antibiotics from nature, isolated from soil or plants. We are now forced to look further afield for new, promising compounds,” Professor Cooper says.

“Academics across the world make millions of compounds each year, yet most of these are not designed as antibiotic drugs. We do not know where the next antibiotic will be found, but by screening a diverse range of compounds, we may just find the next antibiotic sitting on someone’s shelf.”

Dr Weekes says that while it is promising that researchers are dedicated to finding the next class of antibiotics, it is crucial that everyone takes individual responsibility to ensure our existing antibiotics continue to work for as long as possible.

“Some doctors don’t believe their individual prescribing makes a difference, and some patients believe antibiotic resistance is an issue for future generations, but the reality is that antibiotic resistance is already impacting individuals and is a growing problem in our community,” she says. “We all need to take personal action to preserve antibiotics. What we do as individuals can have a very real impact.”

NPS MedicineWise is urging people to take the following pledge to reduce antibiotic resistance:

1. I will not ask for antibiotics for colds and the flu as they have no effect on viruses

2. I understand that antibiotics will not help me recover faster from a viral infection

3. I will only take antibiotics in the way they have been prescribed

4. I understand that it is possible to pass on antibiotic resistant bacteria to others

5. I will make a greater effort to prevent the spread of germs by practising good hygiene.

To take the pledge to fight antibiotic resistance, go to www.nps.org.au/jointhefight.

To find out more about Antibiotic Awareness Week go to www.nps.org.au/aaw.

19 NOVEMBER 2015
TAKE A BITE OUT OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: SKIN INFECTIONS AND BITE INJURIES

With antibiotic resistance becoming more common, treating common skin infections is becoming more difficult, according to NPS MedicineWise.

Evidence suggests that skin and soft tissue are significant sources of MRSA (Staphylococcus aureus that is methicillin-resistant) in the community—and the rate of MRSA is on the rise. Antibiotic use in Australia is high and growing, despite evidence linking greater use of antibiotics to resistance and worse individual outcomes.

While to date the problem has mainly been studied in hospitals, there is now an emerging picture of antibiotic resistance in community settings across Australia, with a recent survey finding that skin and soft tissue were significant sources of community-acquired resistant strains.

This Antibiotic Awareness Week (16-22 November 2015), NPS MedicineWise is raising awareness of appropriate use of antibiotics for managing skin conditions, and that not all skin conditions require antibiotics.

The latest edition of Medicinewise News, published online this week, examines appropriate use of antibiotics for skin and soft tissue injuries illustrating this key principle through the management of bite and clenched fist injuries.

Many low-risk skin conditions can be managed without antibiotics. For example, most boils can be treated with incision and drainage without the need for antibiotics. And, in otherwise healthy people with a low risk of infection, most bite and clenched fist injuries can be managed with good wound care alone.

NPS MedicineWise CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says, “Skin infections come with different risks of infection. When there is no established infection, assess the risk of infection before considering prescribing antibiotics.

“With Australia having a higher rate of antibiotic use than many western European countries, Antibiotic Awareness Week is timely reminder for prescribers to reflect on their antibiotic prescribing practices, including for skin infections.”

Key points covered in the new edition of Medicinewise News include:

* Assess the risk of infection based on patient history.

* Be aware that human bites are much more likely to become infected than other animal bites.

* Avoid prophylactic antibiotics unless the wound/patient has a high infection risk.

* Cleaning, debridement, irrigation, elevation and immobilisation are the recommended first-line management for bite and clenched fist injuries.

Further information about Antibiotic Awareness Week is available at www.nps.org.au/aaw.

The skin infection information is the next phase of the NPS MedicineWise ‘Reducing Antibiotic Resistance’ educational program for health professionals. Other learning products available in this program are:

* Clinical e-Audit for GPs: Management of specific respiratory tract infections

* Online case study: Urinary tract infections: exploring antibiotic treatment

* Online learning module: Managing UTIs in aged care

* Medicines use review: Antibiotics in urinary tract infections: ensuring appropriate use

16 NOVEMBER 2015
NOW IS THE TIME TO HANDLE ANTIBIOTICS WITH CARE: ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK 2015

New figures released today by NPS MedicineWise show that while fewer people are now asking for antibiotics when they have a cold or flu, many still mistakenly believe that antibiotics will assist in recovery from a cold or flu.

The latest survey* of 2,581 people aged 16 years and over by NPS MedicineWise showed that 13% of people would ask their doctor for antibiotics when they had a cold or flu, down from 17% last year.

When asked whether antibiotics would help them recover from a cold or flu, more than a quarter (28%) incorrectly stated that they would help them recover, and another 36% gave a ‘don’t know’ or neutral response.

The findings have been released for the global Antibiotic Awareness Week (16-22 November 2015). The week focuses attention across the globe on the problem of antibiotic resistance—this is when antibiotics lose their power to treat infections because bacteria become resistant to their effects. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics is a key driver of antibiotic resistance.

NPS MedicineWise CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says that this Antibiotic Awareness Week, individuals and health professionals around the world are being called upon to ‘handle antibiotics with care’ and to only use antibiotics when they are really needed.

“It has become entrenched in our society’s thinking that antibiotics are an infinite resource, but unless we dramatically reduce antibiotic prescribing when they’re not needed, we are looking to a future where they may no longer work when they are really needed,” says Dr Weekes.

“Antibiotics don’t work at all on viruses like those that cause colds and flu and taking antibiotics when they’re not effective can contribute to antibiotic resistance, meaning they may not work for you when you need them in the future.

“However, there are simple steps that health professionals and individuals can take to ensure they use antibiotics appropriately. For health professionals this means adhering to best practice prescribing guidelines. For individuals in the community it is important not to pressure your doctor for antibiotics when you have a cold or flu, where antibiotics are not effective and can be harmful.”

The good news from the latest NPS MedicineWise survey is that 75% of people know that taking antibiotics for colds and flu will contribute to antibiotics becoming less effective in the future, and two-thirds (67%) know it puts them at risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

“The more antibiotics are used, the more chances bacteria have to become resistant to them, which can then make bacterial infections much harder to treat when you do have one,” says Dr Weekes.

“Although antibiotic resistance is an issue right here, right now in Australia—with some strains of golden staph and gonorrhoea already resistant to multiple antibiotics—most people don’t see it as a current problem that could impact them personally.”

More than a quarter (27%) of survey respondents think antibiotic resistance will affect them in 10 years, while almost half of respondents said they weren’t sure when it would affect them. Only 1 in 10 respondents (11%) believed that antibiotic resistance was affecting them or their family now.

“Antibiotic-resistant infections are not just seen in hospitals, agriculture and countries overseas, or a problem to deal with in the future. Antibiotic resistance is already affecting individuals in the Australian community, but by understanding how these lifesaving medicines work, handling them with care, and practising good hygiene, we can begin to turn the tide against antibiotic resistance.”

This Antibiotic Awareness Week, individuals and health professionals are being urged to pledge to fight against antibiotic resistance.
To view the pledge go to www.nps.org.au/jointhefight.

A suite of Antibiotic Awareness Week resources, including a campaign toolkit, posters, a social media guide, videos and infographics are available to download and share at www.nps.org.au/aaw.

*The national survey of 2,581 consumers aged 16 years and over was conducted online by NPS MedicineWise in August and September 2015.

16 NOVEMBER 2015
GPs ACROSS AUSTRALIA TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON THEIR ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIBING

More than 28,000 Australian general practitioners will this week receive a letter from NPS MedicineWise showing their recent oral antibiotic prescribing patterns, providing them an important opportunity to reflect on their own prescribing of antibiotics in comparison to that of their peers.

This communication initiative is one of the ways NPS MedicineWise is involved in supporting the global Antibiotic Awareness Week (16-22 November) and will include general information about antibiotic resistance in Australia, as well as confidential, individualised PBS data from the Department of Human Services. The data is mailed out automatically and confidentially to each GP and is not seen by NPS MedicineWise.

While the indication for prescribing (whether for respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection or another condition) cannot be determined from PBS data, the information can be helpful for GPs who can then consider and reflect on their own prescribing data in regard to the indications for antibiotic therapy for their patients.

NPS MedicineWise CEO Dr Lynn Weekes says that everyone—prescribers included—needs to handle antibiotics with care so these will continue to work when we need them, and this individualised antibiotic prescribing data presents GPs with a powerful opportunity to consider their role in fighting antibiotic resistance.

“This global Antibiotic Awareness Week (16-22 November) health organisations, health professionals and individuals in every region of the world will be looking at how we can use antibiotics responsibly,” says Dr Weekes.

“The issue of antibiotic resistance is not something for the future—it is real, and it is here now in Australia and across the world—and even though this is a community-wide issue, as health professionals it is up to us to take a lead in this area.”

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has reported Australia’s consumption of antibiotics to be higher than the average of 29 included countries. Australia’s antibiotic prescribing rate was the 8th highest and was more than double that of countries prescribing the lowest volumes of antibiotics.

RACGP President Dr Frank Jones says the supply of antibiotic prescribing data to GPs is an important tool in the bid to reduce antibiotic resistance.

“By facilitating GPs’ access to their own confidential prescribing data, NPS MedicineWise is providing the opportunity for them to reflect on their own quality use of medicines with regards to antibiotics,” says Dr Jones.

“This recognises the important and leading role that GPs can play in fighting antibiotic resistance.”

Dr Weekes says that this Antibiotic Awareness Week, NPS MedicineWise is supportive of health professionals in taking on what may be at times challenging conversations with their patients—if their clinical judgement is that antibiotics are not needed.

“We know that patient demand does drive antibiotic prescribing, so it’s important patients feel supported in managing their condition without antibiotics if they’re not necessary,” she says.

Evidence from general practice shows that good communication influences patient satisfaction more than a prescription for an antibiotic. To help facilitate conversations with patients about management of respiratory tract infections without antibiotics,NPS MedicineWise offers a symptomatic management pad to help communicate why an antibiotic is not needed on this occasion, discuss self-management of symptoms and address the issue of antibiotic resistance.

The symptomatic management pad is available as a writeable, printable PDF form on the NPS MedicineWise website, to download from GP prescribing software (including Medical Director and Best Practice) or to order in hard copy.

A suite of new Antibiotic Awareness Week resources are also available on the NPS MedicineWise website, including health professional and consumer posters to print and display in your practice, a consumer fact sheet about antibiotic resistance to share with patients, and infographics to share on social media. To download the Antibiotic Awareness Week toolkit, and to take the pledge to fight antibiotic resistance, go to www.nps.org.au/aaw.

16 NOVEMBER 2015
NOW IS THE TIME TO HANDLE ANTIBIOTICS WITH CARE: ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK 2015