PREVIEW: Antibiotic stewardship: Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) antibiotics by all Sub-ICB Locations
Why it matters:
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has adapted the World Health Organization’s (WHO) AWaRe classification to develop the UK-AWaRe antibiotic classification, taking into account antibiotic resistance profiles, antibiotic prescribing and stewardship practice in the UK. The classification groups antibiotics into four categories: Access, Watch, Reserve and Other, to support appropriate prescribing and promote effective antimicrobial stewardship.
- Access antibiotics are generally narrow-spectrum and associated with a lower risk of resistance. They are recommended as first or second choice options for common infections and should be readily available.
- Watch antibiotics are broader-spectrum with a higher resistance potential. Their use should be limited to specific indications and monitored closely.
- Reserve antibiotics are last-line treatments, often reserved for severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. These medicines require strict oversight to maintain their effectiveness.
Monitoring the use of Watch and Reserve antibiotics can help identify areas to improve prescribing, encouraging the appropriate use of Access antibiotics where clinically suitable, and ensuring that higher-risk antibiotics are used only when necessary.
Description: Prescription items for Watch and Reserve group antibiotics as a percentage of total prescription items for Access, Watch and Reserve antibiotics.
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Sub-ICB Locations are ordered by mean percentile over the past six months. Each chart shows the results for the individual Sub-ICB Location, plus deciles across all Sub-ICB Locations in the NHS in England.
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