World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 18 - 24 November 2022
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global crisis, slower burning than COVID-19 but potentially as catastrophic. It is a growing problem in Aotearoa New Zealand and may cost us dearly: longer hospital stays, poorer outcomes from interventions like surgery and cancer-related care, increased mortality, and elevated healthcare costs.
AMR will disproportionately impact the most socioeconomically disadvantaged amongst us, including Māori and Pacific Peoples, who are more susceptible to infections and have greater reliance on effective antimicrobial therapy.
Antibiotic Amnesty - 2022
For WAAW 2022, we are joining pharmacists globally to support an 'Antibiotic Amnesty' campaign that can be led by community pharmacy teams to help raise public awareness of antimicrobial resistance and wise use of antibiotics. We've worked with the New Zealand Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Pharmacist Expert Group (NAMSIEG) to create resources that you can download and print.
Order a pre-printed kit
Thanks to support from PHARMAC, Manatū Hauora - Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha Canterbury we have a number of pre-preprinted kits available this year.
Pharmacies can e-mail namsipeg@gmail.com with a contact name and postal address as soon as possible to have a kit sent to them early November.
The kits will contain posters, flyers and stickers.
Prizes for your Antibiotic Amnesty promotion/display
We are offering a prizes ($200 for first place, and $100 for second place) for the best Antibiotic Amnesty promotion or display. We thought you could use this for a morning tea or festive celebrations to acknowledge the support your team has given for WAAW22.
To enter your promotion or display during WAAW, either tag @pharmaceuticalsocietyofnewzealand into a Facebook post or @psnzpractice in an Instagram post about your Amnesty or send a picture with a description of your activities to practice@psnz.org.nz by 6pm 24 November 2022.
Other hashtags for social media are: #AotearoaAntibioticAmnesty22 #WAAW2022
Winner will be announced on Friday 25 November 2022. We are grateful for He Ako Hiringa and PHARMAC for supporting this initiative.
Downloadable resources
Poster
AA Poster - professional print
Flyers
AA Flyer - A6 double sided - self print
AA Flyer - A6 double sided - professional print
Stickers
AA Stickers for pharmacy staff - professional print
Supporting information & documents for pharmacies
AA Frequently Asked Questions - information for pharmacy staff
AA Letter template for advising nearby general practices
AA Data collection form - WORD
Other
AA How to enter viral video competition
WAAW Bulletin from Te Whatu Ora Waitaha - PDF
WAAW Bulletin from Te Whatu Ora Waitaha - Word - can be adapted
Social media plates
See previous initiatives:
- Penicillin Allergy Initiative - 2021
- Indication Initiative - 2020
