Canterbury prescribers doing their part to combat superbugs

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-03-10 00:01

New Zealand

Antibiotic dispensing decreased by 30% over the past decade in Waitaha Canterbury, new research shows. The study authors say these changes align with antimicrobial stewardship guidance from the WHO, which aims to combat the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria - also known as "superbugs".

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Antimicrobial resistance is an important cause of global mortality and one of the main drivers for antimicrobial resistance is overall antibiotic consumption in the community. From 2012 to 2021, we found that community antibiotic consumption decreased by 30% in Waitaha Canterbury. These changes align with antimicrobial stewardship guidance which encourages more careful use of antibiotics.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Otago, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand; Pegasus Health

Funder: N/A

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