Raising awareness about antibiotic resistance
As antibiotic resistance has always been a major concern for bioMérieux, the company makes major contributions to awareness-raising and educational activities in this field.
To help in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, bioMérieux has for many years actively supported the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (organized by the World Health Organization). In 2020, the scope of the WAAW campaign was expanded and its focus changed from “antibiotics” to “antimicrobials” in order to support a One Health Approach covering antimicrobial resistance in human and animal health and agriculture. Discover more about World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
Our company’s support includes organizing educational campaigns targeting healthcare professionals, the general public and bioMérieux employees.
We also provide educational materials in the form of electronic communications, videos, testimonials and webinars which are communicated globally to promote awareness about antimicrobial resistance and the important contribution of diagnostics.
Listen to Dr Mark Miller, Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer at bioMérieux, and discover more about AMR, COVID-19 and diagnostics.
Watch the Youtube playlist
To fill these information gaps, educational materials whose contents and messages are targeted to specific audiences – clinicians, patients, healthcare administrators, public health officials, politicians and the general public – are essential. (ref.69)Sumpradit N et al. Antibiotics Smart Use: a workable model for promoting the rational use of medicines in Thailand. Bull World Health Organ 2012;90:905-13.
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.12.105445 More (ref.70)Huttner B et al. for the CHAMP consortium. Characteristics and outcomes of public campaigns aimed at improving the use of antibiotics in outpatients in high-income countries. Lancet Infect Dis 2010;10:17-31.
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(09)70305-6. More
EDUCATING ON ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CIDRAP
Cooperation agreement with CIDRAP
In January 2019, bioMérieux signed a cooperation agreement with CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota – United States), by which it undertakes to support CIDRAP’s actions in favor of the responsible use of antibiotics. CIDRAP is widely recognized as a leading provider of reliable, up-to-date information on infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship. This agreement resulted in the sponsorship of CIDRAP webinars, aimed at medical education of health care professionals about the value of diagnostics in antimicrobial stewardship. bioMérieux also participated in the redesign of the CIDRAP website to promote content related to antimicrobial resistance.
> Visit CIDRAP website to learn more
Discover all the live webinars hosted by the CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy) and supported by bioMérieux:
> Visit our Educational Resources webpage
Education is a key element for any program dedicated to confronting antibiotic resistance and curtailing its spread. For policy makers, clear information about the extent and types of antibiotic resistance, its impact on patients and public health and its effects on the healthcare system all have a crucial role in making this complex problem understandable. (ref.01)Antimicrobial resistance WHO Fact sheet N°194, updated April 2015.
(http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs194/en) More For patients, surveys have shown that awareness related to appropriate antibiotic use is poor (for instance, regarding the fact that unnecessary use of antibiotics can be harmful to themselves and to others). (ref.68)M’ikanatha N et al. Prevalence of antibiotic prescriptions and attitudes toward antibiotic-free food. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, October 2007, San Diego, USA. More
A survey across Europe (ref.86)“Eurobarometer” on antimicrobial resistance.
(data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data/dataset/S2107_85_1_445_ENG) More found that only 56% of the respondents knew that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections (such as colds and flu). In a U.S. survey, one in four respondents said they would use antibiotics without contacting a medical professional, while 14% reported storing antibiotics at home. (ref.87)Zooroba R et al. Nonprescription Antimicrobial Use in the US. Antimicrobial Agent and Chemotherapy. 2016. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00528-16 More