AMR is as urgent as climate change – The self-care industry is part of the solution
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing public health threat that can affect anyone globally. According to the OECD, AMR is already a major public health tragedy that compromises the sustainability of health systems and poses a threat of a post-antibiotic era in the future.
According to the last Eurobarometer on antimicrobial resistance, common winter infections (such as bronchitis, sore throat, flu and fever) are often cited as reasons for taking antibiotics, when in fact majority of these infections (8 out of 10) are viral, in which case antibiotics are not effective. The self-care industry plays an important role in the fight against AMR because it provides effective solutions for those common cold illnesses, avoiding thus the inappropriate use of antibiotics.
On the occasion of the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), the Association of the European Self-Care Industry (AESGP) releases its position paper on antimicrobial resistance to showcase how the self-care industry is committed and contributes, in many aspects, to preventing AMR.
The AESGP is, at the same time, running a communication campaign on its social media channels (Twitter & LinkedIn) around important AMR-related topics, such as: health education, responsible use of antibiotics, safe disposal, sustainability of healthcare systems, etc. This campaign is done in parallel with awareness campaigns led by other international organizations (such as the ECDC and the WHO) and is coordinated with AESGP member-organizations, for penetration at the national level.