Latest news and updates on BVNA campaigns

A joint campaign between BVNA , SANG and RUMA as part of a One Health approach to World Antimicrobial Awareness Week .

One Health is an integrated approach to preventing , detecting and responding to issues affecting the health of people , animals and the environment , particularly threats related to food and water safety , nutrition , the control of zoonoses , pollution management and combating antimicrobial resistance .

If you or your practice would like to get involved , you can find more information on the RUMA website at https :// rumacae . org . uk / vet-antibioticamnesty . At the end of the month , participating practices can submit their campaign data to RUMA , and the practice that has collected the most antimicrobials will be awarded a prize ! When promoting the campaign on social media , please use the hashtag # AntibioticAmnesty .

We hope you will get involved . Through a One Health approach , we can help to reduce the global threat to the environment , people and animals posed by antimicrobial resistance .

This year , 18 – 24 November is World Antimicrobial Awareness Week . Those in related sectors are uniting to raise awareness , share expertise and encourage best practice in the responsible use of antimicrobials among the general public , the health and veterinary professions , and related policymakers , to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections .

Throughout November , BVNA is working with the Scottish Antimicrobial Nursing Group ( SANG ) and the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance ( RUMA ) on a campaign focused on reducing the number of unnecessary antibiotics in circulation . Veterinary practices wishing to participate are invited to offer an ‘ antibiotic amnesty ’ to encourage owners to return their pets ' out-of-date or unused antibiotics , free of charge . Similar initiatives for human medicines are being run by participating pharmacies , and some will also take veterinary medicines , so check with your local pharmacist to see if they are part of the campaign .

We will be sharing social media posts with SANG and RUMA to extend the reach and relevance of our shared messaging , to encourage people to think about their own medication as well as that of their pets when engaging with the antibiotic amnesty . Using this two-pronged approach , we hope to reach all of those long-forgotten antibiotics hidden at the back of cupboards .

6 Veterinary Nursing Journal