The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) delivered a compelling speech at the launch of the 2023 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), emphasizing the critical theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together.” The PSGH, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Health (MOH) and other stakeholders, underscored the collective responsibility in addressing the global challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), emphasizing its indiscriminate threat that knows no borders, demographics, or socio-economic status.

The President highlighted the severe consequences of AMR, which undermines the efficacy of essential tools like antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals. Ineffectiveness of these antimicrobials poses a threat to routine medical procedures, turning once-treatable infections into persistent threats with potentially life-threatening outcomes. The economic burden associated with prolonged treatments of non-responsive drug-resistant infections, loss of productivity due to illness, and disruptions to food production systems amplifies the far-reaching consequences of AMR. The PSGH President called for an urgent call to action as the world approaches the United Nations high-level meeting on AMR in 2024.

The PSGH implored policymakers, health professionals, regulatory agencies, and the general public to join forces in the fight against AMR. The PSGH President urged policymakers to prioritize and invest in initiatives promoting responsible antimicrobial use, surveillance, and research. Furthermore, the PSGH called on the government and related agencies to ensure the full implementation of the reviewed National Policy on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance.

A specific call was made to healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to play a pivotal role in linking AMR to the Sustainable Development Goals. The PSGH emphasized the need for antimicrobial stewardship, proper education on the use of antimicrobials, and advocacy for evidence-based practices. The PSGH called on the media to lend its influential voice to the fight against AMR, leveraging its platforms to disseminate accurate information, share personal stories, and advocate for responsible antimicrobial use. The PSGH committed to collaborating with stakeholders and the media to implement policies and content on infection prevention and control interventions.