About Antibiotics Week

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics and poses one of the most pressing public health threats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with a league of national and international partners, will observe the ninth annual Get Smart About Antibiotics Week from November 14-20. During the week, participants will raise awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and emphasize the importance of appropriate antibiotic use across all health care settings.

Antibiotic use is the single most important contributing factor to antibiotic resistance, and up to one-third to one-half of antibiotic use in humans is either unnecessary or inappropriate. Each year in the United States, 47 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are written in Doctor’s Offices, Emergency Rooms, And Hospital based clinics, which makes improving antibiotic prescribing and use a national priority. To combat antibiotic resistance and avoid adverse drug reactions, antibiotics must be used appropriately. Antibiotics should only be used when needed and, if needed, should be used correctly.

Get Smart About Antibiotics Week 2016 marks an important year, during which Congress allocated $160 million in new funding for CDC to implement its activities listed in the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (CARB). CDC is using this funding to accelerate outbreak detection and prevention, support innovative research, and inform providers and the general public about antibiotic resistance and appropriate antibiotic use. CDC is also working to improve tracking of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.

“Antibiotics are critical adjuncts to modern medicine, are vital to performing effective surgical procedures, and provide medical treatment for a variety of serious illnesses,” said Dr. Lauri Hicks, Director for CDC’s Office of Antibiotic Stewardship. “Alarmingly, we are facing the end of the antibiotic era because antibiotics are being inappropriately prescribed and used, which contributes to antibiotic resistance. It is crucial that antibiotics are used only when absolutely necessary.” Moreover, she said, when antibiotics are needed for urgent and necessary conditions like sepsis, it is crucial that the correct antibiotic be prescribed in a timely manner at the right dose and duration.

The Get Smart About Antibiotics Week 2016 observance marks the second annual World Antibiotic Awareness Week, which coincides with European Antibiotic Awareness Day, Canada Antibiotic Awareness Week, and other similar observances across the world. For additional information about Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work, please visit www.cdc.gov/getsmart .

Last modified: November 18, 2016