AMR Podcasts
A series of informative recordings from leaders in AMR at the AVA Annual Conference.
Presenter: Ray Batey
During 2018, the Harmonised Agvet Chemical Control of Use Task Group (HACCUT) developed proposals for harmonising veterinary prescribing rights across the Australian state and territory jurisdictions. The scope of the proposals included but extended beyond control of use regulation.
Many of the proposals were applicable to veterinary chemicals generally but some were directed specifically to regulating how veterinarians prescribe and use antimicrobials. Specific responses to individual proposals were based on considerations of a) AVA Policy, b) a qualitative risk assessment relevant to different livestock sectors, c) case studies and d) general or composite examples of the impact relevant to veterinary prescribing for production animals. It was concluded that prescribing guidelines provide a preferable non-regulatory mechanism to deal with the complexity of prescribing antimicrobial chemicals.
Responses to specific proposals included suggestions of what might be included in guidelines, in some cases adapting practices from other livestock sectors or in others developing specific protocols to manage risk, and thus support a high level of antimicrobial stewardship across the profession.
Presenter: Michael Dhar
A collation of available information on antimicrobial stewardship from both human and veterinary fields and how we can this relates to cattle practice. With greater importance than ever before we will explore how governments, universities, veterinary and medical industry bodies, farming bodies and practicing clinicians are tackling the problem of effectiveness on antibiotics into the future.
This presentation will look at how we can present antimicrobial stewardship to our colleagues and our clients to make it part of our practice.
Presenter: Ben Madin
The development of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) is becoming an increasing concern worldwide. A number of diseases that should by now be of limited significance are causing increasing problems as existing therapies have sub-optimal performance.
The worst case scenario is a return to a world where antibiotics are no longer a reliable part of the practitioner's tool kit. Management of the overuse of these drugs is typically focussed on campaigns with positive messages for reduction in anti-microbial usage (AMU). Such messages include reasons such as loss of efficacy and side effects, and of course the potential for residues in food-producing animals. Although these efforts are making some progress, it is difficult to measure the change in prescribing habits in veterinarians, as there may be no central system for monitoring the use of such drugs.
Points for AMU surveillance can include importers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors or retail sale. A common alternative is end use monitoring (such as residue testing in meat). By their nature, these methods tend to be expensive and offer little certainty about the risks associated with any given animal.
In many countries such systems do not exist at all. This presentation will discuss our experience in a number of resource-constrained environments, and describe a practical, low-cost system which allowed us to not only monitor AMU in real time, but also allowed us to provide specific interventions in cases where poor anti-microbial prescribing practices were identified.
Presenter: Mark Schipp
The Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp, will highlight the global challenges we are facing and the importance of a one health approach in recognising and managing these issues into the future.
The presentation will cover the global context of a number of important one health issues, such as antimicrobial resistance and food security, and an overview of Australia’s position in relation to these issues. The presentation will be followed by a 20 minute question and answer session.
Presenter: Guy Weerasinghe
Reprising and updating his presentation from the 2018 WSAVA World Congress, Guy will take the delegates on a rollercoaster ride of current literature and practical solutions that can be implemented at the clinic level.