Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Join antibiotic amnesty for World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

This World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, healthcare leaders across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are asking residents to join an ‘antibiotic amnesty’ by returning any unused antibiotics to their local pharmacy. This important step will help keep antibiotics effective for the future, as returned antibiotics can be safely disposed of and prevent environmental harm.

Why Antibiotics Matter

Antibiotics are essential, life-saving medicines that treat serious infections and support routine medical procedures like knee replacements, caesarean sections, and transplants. However, when bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, these treatments become less effective, making infections harder to treat and some common operations riskier to perform.

Paul Edmondson-Jones, Chief Medical Officer, for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, explains: “Antibiotics are crucial for modern medicine. It’s important to take them exactly as prescribed to protect them for the future. It is estimated that 10 million global deaths will be caused by antibiotic resistance in 2050 if we don’t act today. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily or disposing of them improperly can increase antibiotic resistance, putting lives at risk. Returning any leftover antibiotics to your pharmacy helps us all stay safe.”

The Risks of Improper Disposal

When antibiotics are thrown in household waste or poured down sinks, toilets, or drains, they can end up in the environment, where they contribute to growing levels of antibiotic resistance. This could mean that in the future, antibiotics may not work against harmful bacteria, making it harder to treat infections.

Simple Steps to Protect Antibiotics:

1. Take antibiotics only as prescribed – Follow the instructions given to you by the prescriber. Don’t save antibiotics for later or share them with others.
2. Return unused antibiotics – If you have leftover antibiotics at home, take them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.

Antibiotics and Common Illnesses

It’s also important to remember that antibiotics don’t treat viruses like colds, flu, or COVID-19. Always consult with your pharmacist or GP to find the best treatment for your illness.

Join the Antibiotic Amnesty and Protect the Future

During World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, from 18th to 24th November, let’s take action together. Join us in the Midlands-wide effort to protect these essential medicines for future generations. Spread the message to family and friends and return any unused antibiotics to your local pharmacy.

Take part in keeping Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent safe—visit the NHS website for more information on antibiotics and resistance or visit the World Health Organization’s page on World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week.