The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has relaunched its mascot Andi Biotic for World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week today, with a new campaign aimed at young adults.
Andi Biotic, a red and white pill character, was first introduced in April 2025 as part of UKHSA’s Keep Antibiotics Working campaign. This second wave aims to build on that launch, using humour and visual storytelling to raise awareness of responsible antibiotic use in everyday settings.
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The relaunch follows the release of UKHSA’s latest English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR) report, which shows antibiotic-resistant infections in England have increased by 9.3% in the past year.
The new campaign features Andi Biotic dancing through gyms, office spaces and pharmacies, while delivering messages about responsible antibiotic use.
It highlights three key behaviours: do not take antibiotics for colds and flu; only take antibiotics when prescribed and as directed; and never save or share leftover medicines.
The campaign will run across UKHSA’s digital channels throughout AMR Awareness Week, running from today (18-24 November).
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UKHSA has partnered with Better Gyms, Amazon and social media influencers to share the campaign across a range of public platforms.
Dr Alicia Demirjian, consultant epidemiologist and clinical lead for antimicrobial resistance and prescribing at UKHSA, said: ‘Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing modern medicine, but the good news is we can all do something about it.
‘Yes, Andi’s fun and energetic – you might even catch him doing a disco in your local pharmacy – but the message is serious.’
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UKHSA is also encouraging people to make a personal pledge to use antibiotics responsibly by becoming an Antibiotic Guardian. Over 200,000 people have already signed up at antibioticguardian.com.
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