18th to 24th November 2025 is World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week.
World AMR Awareness Week is a global campaign that is celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public, stakeholders and policymakers, who all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
Why does it matter?
Without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, basic operations, even chemotherapy and animal health all rely on access to antibiotics that work.
What can you do to help?
Patients can help reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance by exhibiting correct antibiotic behaviours, as below:
- Don’t take antibiotics for colds and flu
- Don’t save antibiotics for later
- Take antibiotics as directed by your healthcare professional.
Become an Antibiotic guardian!
Join over 200,000 individuals who have personally pledged an action to help to tackle AMR by choosing a pledge at the Antibiotic Guardian website.
