A national charity dedicated to supporting patients impacted by resistant infections has relaunched with a new name and new approach to tackling the growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis.
AMR Action UK, formerly known as Antibiotic Research UK, has rebranded – placing a stronger emphasis on strengthening the ability of patients to influence actions that could protect people from AMR.
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As part of this, the charity has announced the introduction of four ‘national patient insight panels’, representing the four countries of the UK.
These panels will provide a virtual space for people with lived experience of AMR to shape national policy, by contributing to research and practice and co-developing patient and community solutions.
The charity said the panels would form a ‘key part’ of its work, alongside providing real-time support for impacted patients and enabling patient-centred research into the issue.
Kirsteen Wills, chief executive of AMR Action UK, said: ‘For years, the charity has worked alongside individuals and families affected by drug-resistant infections – amplifying their voices, sharing their stories, and ensuring lived experience is central to tackling AMR.
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‘This next step is really exciting. Our new name better reflects the work we undertake and our first initiative under that banner is our patient panels, that will give the people who know the impact better than anyone else the structured space and amplified collective voice to shape future policy.’
A recent survey by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found that the majority of community pharmacies are being asked for unnecessary antibiotics ‘at least once a day’.
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Separately, a House of Commons report last month suggested community pharmacies could help reduce rates of AMR through Pharmacy First.
Last year, the UK government developed a five-year AMR National Action Plan to address the crisis, in support of its 20–year vision for AMR.
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