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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 16) highlighted the importance of the safe use of antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance, which remains a major global public health challenge and threatens the continued effectiveness of antibiotics as evidenced by the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria.
Antibiotic Awareness Day is marked annually on November 18 as a public health initiative to promote the prudent use of antibiotics.
Speaking at a press conference to echo this global initiative, the Head of the Infection Control Branch of the CHP, Dr Wong Tin-yau, said, "The CHP is committed to working hand in hand with medical professionals in Hong Kong to address this important threat." He also called on the public to work together on the safe use of antibiotics to safeguard their own health as well as that of future generations.
Joining Dr Wong at today's press conference, the Chairman of Health Protection Programme on Antimicrobial Resistance (HPPAR), Dr Ho Pak-leung, announced the publication of the fourth edition of the Interhospital Multi-disciplinary Programme on Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (IMPACT) Guidelines.
First developed in 1999, the IMPACT Guidelines serve as an invaluable reference tool for medical and health professionals in reinforcing the appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs.
Dr Ho said, "Antimicrobial resistance has reached alarming levels. IMPACT Guidelines recognises the dangers from antimicrobial resistance, the tremendous adverse effect it has on quality medical care and the need for a strong, co-ordinated and multifaceted response."
The updated IMPACT Guidelines edition combines the latest scientific evidence on usage of antimicrobial agents, empirical therapy of common infections, treatment of infections with known pathogen and surgical prophylaxis with local data on the prevalence and sensitivity patterns of different pathogens. Several new sections were added to the updated edition, including tips on the safe use of antibiotics in out-patient settings, management of penicillin allergy and tips on laboratory diagnostic tests.
Medical doctors and pharmacists will receive their copy in due course while a soft copy of the guidelines will also be made available on the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk) later.
Dr Ho also gave a brief summary on the progress of HPPAR recommendations in past two years, including territory-wide surveillance of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, antimicrobial stewardship programme in hospitals under the Hospital Authority and more.
As part of its publicity efforts, the CHP conducted two population-based telephone surveys to gauge public awareness before and after its promotional campaign on antibiotic resistance in 2011. Over 1,500 respondents were interviewed in a baseline survey and a follow-up survey conducted in November 2010 and June 2011 with a response rate of 69.2 per cent and 66.6 per cent respectively.
The survey results showed that the proportion of respondents who knew that antibiotics could not cure flu and viral infections both increased from 58 per cent to 65 per cent and from 25 per cent to 29 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, a newly developed short video in animation format to further promote antibiotics awareness was launched on the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk) and YouTube website (www.youtube.com.hk) today.
Ends/Friday, November 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:54
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