Optimizing use of antimicrobial medicines

Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials are main drivers of antimicrobial resistance. Since antimicrobials are a precious resource, it is essential that they are only prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals for patients with a confirmed need. For all those patients, high-quality antimicrobials need to be accessible at any time to guarantee an appropriate clinical management.

To address both, overuse and lack of access, the World Health Organization provides practical guidance such as the WHO Integrated Antimicrobial Stewardship toolkit, evidence-based policy recommendations, and tailored country-level support to optimize antimicrobial use through the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs.  WHO collaborates with a variety of partners to address overuse, while promoting access to quality-assured antimicrobials.