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Derm antibiotics take the stage at CDC's Get Smart About Antibiotics Week
Galderma announced that it is joining the American Acne and Rosacea Society with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Get Smart About Antibiotics Week 2014.
Galderma and AARS are attempting to help raise awareness about the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use, according to the press release.
The CDC’s Lauri Hicks, DO, explained in the press release how antibiotic use contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance in any medical specialty.
Within dermatology, this applies to acne medications that contain antibiotics. Acne may be a contributing factor to overall resistance, according to the press release. Today, there are effective, antibiotic-free topical treatment options available.
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week continues to provide healthcare professionals with resources to determine whether antibiotics are necessary or whether other treatment options could be equally helpful.
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week will be holding a Twitter chat on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Participants are directed to use #SaveAbx to pose questions and learn more about antibiotic resistance.
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Dermatologists Can Have a Positive Impact on Growing Antibiotic Resistance Rates
In 2013, approximately 9.3 million prescriptions for oral and topical antibiotics were dispensed for dermatology-related issues. There are estimates that up to half of all antibiotics prescribed are not needed or optimal for many dermatologic conditions and that antibiotic-free treatment options can effectively control disease.
The antibiotic resistance conversation is not new, but the recent PCAST report and Executive Order on combating antimicrobial resistance has made it a trending topic with high-profile organizations announcing their efforts to promote appropriate use, including the dermatology community.
Specific initiatives have been implemented underscoring our commitment to antibiotic stewardship, such as:
-- Involvement in this year’s CDC’s Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, where the American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS) and Galderma Laboratories, L.P. participated to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance in dermatology.
-- The AARS’s Scientific Panel on Antibiotic Use in Dermatology (SPAUD), which is committed to providing clinicians with updated recommendations on optimal antibiotic prescribing.
-- The publication of “Evidence-Based Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Acne”, which specifically discusses appropriate antibiotic use.
There are effective ways to treat acne without antibiotics, including topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide helps limit development of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) resistance, and can be utilized alone, with retinoids using multiple products, or with Epiduo® Gel 0.1%/2.5% which combines both adapalene and benzoyl peroxide into one treatment.
It’s our responsibility to our patients to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions and help curb rising resistance rates.