Australians are being taught a crucial lesson this week, with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week offering a glimpse into the impacts of taking the wrong medication. 

This week, nurses across the Western Plains are driving home the cause of taking correct medications as we edge closer and closer to the precipice of resistance, where some medications will no longer be effective against our ailments.

At the Walgett Multi-Purpose Service (hospital), Infection Prevention and Control Manager Rachel Lamph is working to build awareness with both hospital staff and the public. 

“We have a big colourful promotions board at the hospital for the public and patients to see when they walk through. In the hospital, it’s all about making sure staff are across and following the therapeutic goods guidelines,” Mrs Lamph said. 

“We’re trying to avoid the resistance of overuse of antibiotics, antifungals and antivirus medications. If you overuse this medication, you can build a resistance and so the medications that we use aren’t always working. Instead, it can develop a kind of superbug that is immune to medication that has been overprescribed,” she said. 

The week is a worldwide cause because the problem is exactly that, global. The World Health Organisation (WHO) described antimicrobial resistance as one of the greatest threats to human and animal health, as well as food and agriculture, if modern medicine is rendered redundant. 

While the week was once dedicated to just antibiotics, it’s been extended to antimicrobial to encompass the other medications that are threatened with resistance. 

While resistance has always been inevitable and something that health experts are aware of, the process has been accelerated as a result of overuse. 

Australian Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said that the common misconception that antimicrobials will relieve any sickness is dangerous. 

“We should only use them when recommended by health professionals. For example, antibiotics don’t work against viruses so they can’t help treat a cold or flu,” Professor Kelly said. 

“Antibiotics are not ‘superdrugs’ to use ‘just in case’ – they only treat certain bacteria in certain conditions, under the advice of health professionals,” he said. 

Common habits like taking someone else’s prescribed antimicrobials, saving some of the course for later or failing to complete the prescribed course are all contributing factors to harmful bacteria building their resistance.

“You should use the medication prescribed, and take the full course, trying not to miss doses so that we’re able to treat the problem that you have straight away. 

When the current antimicrobials available to the world are superseded, the development of new products will be necessary to everyday life as we know it. However, the process of creating new antimicrobials is a challenging one, requiring heavy investment of time and money. 

Under the National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy, research is being conducted across the industry to address and control the current issue. 

People with leftover antimicrobials, whether it be antibiotic, antifungal or antivirus medications, are urged to return the remaining medication to the pharmacist for safe disposal. 

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week runs from 18-24 November this year. 

More information on preventing antimicrobial resistance can be found at the Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness site.