WAAW 2023

To mark the annual World AMR Awareness Week, various activities and information events were held on the theme of ‘preventing antimicrobial resistance together’. The aim was to make a valuable contribution to curbing antibiotic resistance and to increase the visibility of the topic among the public, professionals and at the individual institutions.

Take a look at the highlights of World AMR Awareness Week 2023.

A review in pictures

During WAAW 2023, various events and activities took place, involving many stakeholders from throughout Switzerland.

Here are some selected highlights.

Media briefing of 13.11.2023

On 13 November, an event was jointly organised by the federal offices involved in the StAR Strategy – the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), the Federal Office of Agriculture (FAO) and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) – to brief media representatives about the current resistance situation in Switzerland and developments in antibiotic use. At the briefing, one of the key action areas of the strategy was particularly emphasised, namely: infection prevention and control of resistant pathogens.

You’ll find a selection of media reports here: Tagesschau segment (in German) and Echo der Zeit programme (in German) of 13 November 2023.

WAAW23 Rückblick SMGP — Presentations on antibiotic resistance at the annual conference of the Swiss Medical Society for Phytotherapy SMGP of 16.11.2023

Presentations on antibiotic resistance at the annual conference of the Swiss Medical Society for Phytotherapy SMGP of 16.11.2023

The Swiss Medical Society for Phytotherapy SMGP had a successful 37th annual conference on the theme of ‘Phytotherapy for humans, animals and the environment – timeless and sustainable’. About 300 participants listened to engaging and inspiring presentations on the major issues of antibiotic resistance, climate change, biodiversity loss, energy issues and environmental pollution, and how they influence human and animal health.

A whole series of presentations focused on antibiotic resistance, focusing on the collaboration between the various players, and on how education strategies on the prudent use of antibiotics (only when really necessary) can be implemented.

You’ll find more information at Annual phytotherapy conference (in German only).

WAAW Rückblick: Apothekerverband — Engaged participation of the pharmaSuisse and pharmacies

Engaged participation of the pharmaSuisse and pharmacies

Pharmacists are on the frontline when it comes to tackling antibiotic resistance.
They validate prescriptions according to the rules for good consulting and dispensing practice, give precise instructions on the correct way to take antibiotics, and ask patients to return partially used packs to the pharmacy. They also encourage patients to protect themselves from infections (e.g. by administering seasonal flu vaccinations and the pneumococcal vaccine) and remind people about hygiene measures. During WAAW 2023, awareness was raised via displays on screens in pharmacies and many information materials and giveaways were distributed across Switzerland.

WAAW23 Rückblick: Roundtable Antibiotika — Round Table on Antibiotics: ‘How can the dysfunctional antibiotics market be revived? A question of economic incentives.‘

Round Table on Antibiotics: ‘How can the dysfunctional antibiotics market be revived? A question of economic incentives.‘

On 2 December, the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine (sitem-insel) organised an open day. The Round Table on Antibiotics (RTA) used this opportunity to raise public awareness of the issue of antibiotic resistance and to discuss the challenges and potential solutions.

Visitors to the open day were given an insight into the project that is designed to promote the availability of new and already authorised antibiotics in Switzerland.
The project seeks to introduce an alternative incentive model, which pays for antibiotics regardless of the volume used and therefore makes the Swiss market attractive again for antibiotic manufacturers.

The open day allowed the RTA to reach a diverse audience and to spread its message.

WAAW23 Rückblick: Roundtable Antibiotika Lausanne — Round Table on Antibiotics: ‘How can an attractive framework for the antibiotics market be created’ (Lausanne)

Round Table on Antibiotics: ‘How can an attractive framework for the antibiotics market be created’ (Lausanne)

The Round Table on Antibiotics (RTA) organised a meeting for its members and other guests from its network as part of the 2023 World AMR Awareness Week.

Twelve experts provided insights into the needs of clinical practitioners and current challenges, opportunities and solutions along the entire pharmaceutical value chain: from early research to the provision of new antibiotics.

The RTA presented its proposed alternative remuneration model to promote the availability of new and already authorised antibiotics in Switzerland. The model envisages annual flat-rate payments to manufacturers, thereby allowing them to generate appropriate market revenues regardless of the number of units sold.

The event provided participants with a solid understanding of the challenges and solutions in the area of antibiotic resistance, which they can pass on to others.

WAAW23 Rückblick OECD-Report — Webinar on the OECD Report

Webinar on the OECD Report

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a new study (Embracing a One Health Framework to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance), which highlights the cost efficiency of measures to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance (AMR). For Switzerland it projects annual costs of up to CHF 750 million by 2050. The study estimates that for every Swiss franc invested in a package of measures to tackle AMR, around CHF 6 in health costs can be saved. On 22 November, the FOPH organised a webinar in association with the OECD on the study findings. Around 50 participants discussed the study results and their implications for tackling AMR in Switzerland.

WAAW23 Rückblick: Planeten Simak — Geneva takes us to Planet Simak for WAAW 2023

Geneva takes us to Planet Simak for WAAW 2023

Given the complexity and importance of the topic of AMR, the Canton of Geneva decided to transfer the topic to the fictional Planet Simak. Through an online game, the Cantonal Medical Officer’s office invited the public to this planet where a medical spaceship had crashed. As the medical robot is out of action, it is up to the players to examine sick people and to decide which treatments to give. The aim – as for doctors on Earth – is to treat patients while avoiding antimicrobial resistance.

This serious game was developed in partnership with Atelier Sémaphore and will be available online until October 2024. During WAAW 2023, many players rose to the challenge and took the place of real-life doctors to learn how to manage the opportunities and pitfalls of antibiotics.

WAAW23 Rückblick: Antibiotix — Escape Game: Mission AntibiotiX

Escape Game: Mission AntibiotiX

To mark the 2023 edition of World AMR Awareness Week, the hygiene and infection prevention and control units from the canton of Vaud and the University Hospital in Lausanne invited doctors from acute care facilities across the canton to play Mission AntibiotiX, a virtual strategy game that is available online.

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Views on antibiotic resistance

For the WAAW 2023, various professionals and members of the public provided testimonials on the urgency of the issue of antibiotic resistance. These testimonials were realised as part of the Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (StAR) campaign. See how professionals from the fields of human and animal health answer questions on the subject of antibiotic resistance.

Would you like to help raise awareness of antibiotic resistance?

On the StAR website we provide information and materials on the subject of antibiotic resistance. You will also find inspiration to launch your own initiatives. The next WAAW will take place from 18 to 24 November 2024. For more information, please contact star@bag.admin.ch.

Last modification 28.02.2024

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