Pharmacists against AMR: Specialisation in communicable diseases for stronger impact

Mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and fostering antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is the goal of every healthcare unit. Over the last few decades, the concept of specialisation in pharmacy has evolved in several developed countries to manage communicable diseases. Pharmacists, who collaborate with microbiologists and infectious disease physicians, possess strong clinical and evidence-based knowledge to develop appropriate antimicrobial therapies, reducing adverse events, complications, and resistance. This interprofessional teamwork not only improves antimicrobial utilisation in hospital settings but also helps advance the role of pharmacists in healthcare, gaining recognition from other healthcare professionals and policymakers. This session will outline various pharmacy specialities, with a focus on communicable disease management, the role of pharmacists, and the current scenario in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Co-moderators:
- Dalal Hammoudi Halat, Common Year Coordinator
– QU Health Assessment and Accreditation Office – QU Health Sector, Qatar University, Qatar - Carlos Fernandez Moriano, Deputy Director of Pharmacy Services and Continuous Professional Development within the General Council, General Pharmaceutical Council of Spain, Spain

Panellists:
- Nour Shamas, Infectious disease clinical pharmacist, Independent antimicrobial stewardship consultant, Lebanon
- Gautam Kalyatanda, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Florida, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Global Medicine, USA
- Yvonne Yirenkyiwaa Esseku, Rector, Ghana College of Pharmacists, Ghana College of Pharmacists
- Manjiri Gharat, Principal, Kundnani Pharmacy Polytechnic, India