Health and Community Services
January 19, 2015

Strengthening Health Services for Families and Communities

New Program Promotes Proper Antibiotics Usage

A new antibiotic adherence program is being launched to focus on the effective and appropriate use of antibiotics. This program, which will be available to clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program, is among the first of its kind in the country to be led by pharmacists and involves an initial consultation and follow-up with patients who are receiving antibiotics. The long-term goal of the program is to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. Pharmacists will implement the program beginning on January 26, 2015.

“The objective of this antibiotic adherence initiative is to promote better management and usage of antibiotics. By making sure patients understand the need for a particular drug and are finishing the full course of their prescription, we will see improved patient outcomes and reduce the possibility of antibiotic resistance. Pharmacists play a significant role on the frontlines of our health care system. Through their daily interactions with patients who require prescription medication, it is a logical step for pharmacists to take the lead in an antibiotics adherence program. The proper use of antibiotics is a global concern and this new initiative will be a benefit to all people in this province.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

As part of the antibiotic adherence program, pharmacists will consult directly with their patients when a prescription for an antibiotic is filled. In addition, a follow-up call will be made several days after the start of treatment to see if the patient is still taking the antibiotic and if there are any issues.

“As pharmacists, we are really in the best position to have a conversation with our patients to stress that if antibiotics prescriptions are not properly followed, future ailments such as urinary tract infections and diarrhea can be harder to fight. During that conversation, we can also demonstrate that improper use can negatively impact the health of other family members who may have chronic disease conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or diabetes.”
- Richard Coombs, President, Pharmacists' Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

The World Health Organization cites antimicrobial resistance as a significant threat to the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi. Antimicrobial resistance, or drug resistance, refers to the ability of a microorganism like bacteria, viruses and some parasites, to stop antimicrobial treatments such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials from working against it. The use and misuse of antimicrobial drugs accelerates the emergence of drug-resistant strains. As a result, standard treatments can become ineffective, infections may persist and possibly spread to others.

“We often get caught up in stories about superbugs at hospitals without understanding that the resistance most often has started before a patient goes into a health care facility. The reality is that we need to be more vigilant at the beginning – by washing hands, getting our flu shot, taking our antibiotics throughout the whole prescription period – even when we feel better, and most importantly preventing infection from being spread with proper use of materials such as face masks when entering a health care building.”
- Stephen Reid, Executive Director, Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

This latest initiative to expand the role of pharmacists within the health care system of Newfoundland and Labrador builds on recent new services being provided by pharmacists. This includes one-on-one medication management for Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program clients 65 and older with multiple chronic diseases and clients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease who are starting a new medication for that illness. In addition, pharmacists have also been given the authority to administer medication by inhalation and injection, including flu vaccines.

QUICK FACTS

• An antibiotic adherence program is being launched and led by pharmacists to help ensure the effective and appropriate use of antibiotics.
• The program will begin on January 26, 2015.
• Pharmacists will consult directly with clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program when a prescription for an antibiotic is filled and make a follow-up call several days into the treatment to see if the patient is still taking the antibiotic and if there are any issues.
• The World Health Organization recognizes antimicrobial resistance or drug resistance as a significant threat that could make standard treatments ineffective and allow infections to persist and possibly spread to others.
• The antibiotic adherence program is among the first of its kind in the country to be led by pharmacists, with the long-term goal of addressing antibiotic resistance.

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Media contacts:

Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 725-6511 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca

Stephen Reid Executive Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-7881 ext. 203 sreid@panl.net

2015 01 19                              1:10 p.m.