3 November, 2014
IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS: SAVE THE DATE FOR ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK
This November NPS MedicineWise will be raising awareness on antibiotic resistance and promoting responsible use of antibiotics in the Australian community for Antibiotic Awareness Week – a global initiative. Antibiotic Awareness Week will run from 17 to 23 November 2014.
NPS MedicineWise will be asking all Australians to ‘imagine a world without antibiotics’, and empowering Australians to be wiser about antibiotic use by busting some common myths. Key messages will include:
* Antibiotic resistance is not only a major issue for hospitals, veterinarians, or countries overseas. It is happening right now in the Australian community.
* Overuse and misuse of antibiotics is increasing the problem of antibiotic resistance. Don’t always expect your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics do not work for all infections.
* Always practise good hygiene to avoid infections and prevent them spreading to others.
Throughout the week, Australians will be able to pledge through the NPS MedicineWise website and Facebook page to become antibiotic resistance fighters and help combat the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Global Antibiotic Awareness Day – Global Twitter chat
The week in Australia coincides with Global Antibiotic Awareness Day on Tuesday 18 November 2014.
NPS MedicineWise will be taking part in a global Twitter chat, bringing together key health stakeholders and participants from around the world under the hashtag #AntibioticDay.
Australian health professionals and consumers can get involved on Twitter during the hours of 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Antibiotic Awareness Week is officially supported by NPS MedicineWise, the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care, the Australian Government Department of Health and Department of Agriculture, the Australian Veterinary Association, state and territory health representatives and the private hospital sector as part of a five-year campaign to address antibiotics resistance in Australia.
If you are interested in covering this issue, preparing a feature or requesting an interview ahead of time please contact us.
More information about antibiotic resistance and the pledge is available at www.nps.org.au/jointhefight