WHO AWaRe

WHO AWaRe is a tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to aid in the safe, effective, and responsible use of antibiotics. The tool is designed to combat the global issue of antibiotic resistance, which is a major threat to public health worldwide.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The AWaRe tool, which stands for "Access, Watch, and Reserve," categorizes antibiotics into three groups. These groups are designed to guide healthcare professionals in their prescribing practices, with the aim of reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Access group: This group includes antibiotics that should be widely available, as they are considered first- or second-choice treatments for a wide range of common infections. These antibiotics have lower resistance potential.
Watch group: These antibiotics have a higher potential for resistance and should be prescribed with caution. They are often the first- or second-choice treatments for a small number of infections.
Reserve group: These antibiotics should be considered "last-resort" options, and used only in the most severe circumstances when all other alternatives have failed. They have the highest potential for resistance.

Implementation[edit | edit source]

The WHO AWaRe tool is intended to be used by healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, nurses, and doctors. It is also a valuable resource for health policy makers, as it can guide decisions about which antibiotics should be made available in their countries.

The tool is designed to be adaptable to the needs of individual countries, taking into account their specific healthcare challenges and resources. The WHO provides guidance and support for countries looking to implement the AWaRe tool in their healthcare systems.

Impact[edit | edit source]

The WHO AWaRe tool has the potential to make a significant impact on the global issue of antibiotic resistance. By guiding the use of antibiotics, it can help to ensure that these vital medicines remain effective for future generations.

The tool also has the potential to improve patient outcomes by promoting the use of the most effective antibiotics for each individual infection. This can reduce the risk of treatment failure and the spread of resistant infections.