IVC Evidensia joined a host of other veterinary organisations in the UK to support an Antibiotic Amnesty in November. The campaign encourages pet owners to return any out-of-date or unused antibiotics they have at home to their nearest practice.

This ‘first-of-its-kind’ campaign aims to educate owners about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and raise awareness of the importance of the safe use and safe disposal of these important medicines. 

The antibiotic amnesty took place during November 2022, overlapping World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18-24 November).

Responsible antibiotic stewardship is a key commitment within IVC Evidensia’s Sustainability strategy, the Positive Pawprint.

The use of antibiotics for humans and animals can be an effective way of treating illness, but often can be misused during treatment and during recovery. 

This can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis from vets who are trying to help animals in their care, as well as dangerous side effects that could delay an animal’s recovery, or even worse, contribute to further health problems. 

Furthermore, this can exacerbate the existing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This occurs when bacteria develop mechanisms that protect them from the effects of antibiotic treatments, making treatment for people and animals less effective.

Another issue surrounding the misuse of antibiotics is unsafe disposal, which can further contribute to antimicrobial resistance and have a negative effect on the environment.

By joining the Antibiotic Amnesty campaign to raise awareness of these issues, IVC Evidensia is encouraging the following behaviours when it comes to antibiotics:

• Antimicrobial resistance is a world-wide health threat – be responsible with antibiotics by only using them when necessary and avoid them using unless prescribed by a vet or nurse. Dispose of them at your nearest practice when convenient
• Keep antibiotics working - use antibiotics carefully to keep them working and adhere to any instructions from vets or nurses
• You should never self-prescribe antibiotics for your pet – avoid using antibiotics when not needed as this could risk side effects, delay an accurate diagnosis for your pet, and contribute to antimicrobial resistance 
• Antibiotics should be disposed of safely – avoid inappropriate disposal of antibiotics by returning them to your nearest practice

Edward Davies, IVC Evidensia’s Small Animal UK Clinical Board Chairman, commented: “It is really fantastic that IVC Evidensia has been given the opportunity to join many other veterinary groups, practices and businesses in the UK to promote the messages around antibiotic disposal awareness, both to our fellow professionals in the business and our clients. 

“We hope to take this current project, which coincides with World Antibiotic Awareness week, and create an ongoing process within our group where returning unused antibiotics becomes the norm. That way we can adopt a One Health approach to the rising problem of increased antibiotic resistance, which is becoming a major threat, not only in the animal world but also in human medicine. 

“We must take a responsible stance and highlight the concerns of the incorrect disposal of unused antibiotics, where antibiotics are now detected commonly in the waters of the UK and bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are being seen more frequently.”

You can find out more about the campaign and what you can do to help using the relevant RCVS resource here: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/amr/antibiotic-amnesty/