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Strategic action underway to tackle antibiotic resistance

Following a two-day summit in Sydney about the issues surrounding antibiotic resistance, delegates from the health, agricultural and consumer sectors have called upon the nation to re-think its use of antibiotics and to not use them inappropriately.

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31 May 2001

Strategic action underway to tackle antibiotic resistance

Following a two-day summit in Sydney about the issues surrounding antibiotic resistance, delegates from the health, agricultural and consumer sectors have called upon the nation to re-think its use of antibiotics and to not use them inappropriately.

Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, Associate Professor John Turnidge, said Australia's medical usage of antibiotics is out of proportion to its size and population base.

"As a community, we have a responsibility to only use antibiotics when the benefits are clear and substantial," Prof Turnidge said.

"Australia needs to implement, as soon as possible, a systematic approach to antibiotic resistance management."

Other key recommendations, following this successful national summit, are:

  • People's attitudes to antibiotics need to change and they need to understand that antibiotics should be used only when considered appropriate for medical treatment;
  • Education of the public, medical profession and agricultural sectors about the correct use antibiotics is required;
  • That Australia's peak research body, the National Health and Medical Research Council, give a high priority to antibiotic resistance; and
  • That Australia maintains its commitment to the World Health Organisation's strategy to reducing our reliance on antibiotics and to ensure we complement all global strategies currently underway.
Delegates expressed their commitment to the Commonwealth Government's response to the report of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance.

"This national summit has provided Australia's experts in this field with the vision and commitment for all sectors to work co-operatively towards the goal that is to reduce our reliance on antibiotics," Prof Turnidge said.

Media contact: Karen Warner, Dept. Health and Aged Care, 0419 489 891