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HomeResponsibilityRaising Public AwarenessChange the Course Change the Course: Create a new future for antibioticsYou've heard about the rise of the superbugs. You've heard about the threat of 10 million deaths per year by 2050. It is time to tell a new story and create a new future for antibiotics. You have the power to help Change the Course.


Antimicrobial agents, including antibiotics, are used in healthcare across the world - from treating minor infections, enabling safe operations through to use in chemotherapy and life-threatening infections such as sepsis. Simply put, we need them to work.

But they are losing their effectiveness and leading to the rise in drug-resistant infections - the so-called superbugs.

As part of Pfizer UK's ongoing dedication to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we've launched a national campaign which aims to help us all feel empowered to change the course of AMR and create a new future for antibiotics. 

Change the Course

Published November 2020

Download the full report

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

Drug resistant infections are one of the biggest public health challenges today. They are rooted in the over-reliance on and misuse of antibiotics and antimicrobial agents.

Currently, AMR kills 700,000 people per year globally. Without antibiotics, there will be a significant increase in deaths.

Antibiotic resistance is not a problem that can be permanently fixed – we can't stop bacteria evolving and becoming resistant to antibiotics. But we can change our relationship with antibiotics and recognise antibiotic resistance as a health issue we have to live with and continuously work hard to keep it at bay.

▶ WHY NOW?

In 2020 we have come to understand how quickly a pandemic can change our lives.

The deadly consequences of the pandemic are a reflection of what happens when there is a disease which can affect anybody and for which we have no effective medical solution or cohesive system to address on a global scale.

We have experienced how our wellbeing can be dependent on the health and behaviour of those around us. With public awareness and knowledge about pandemics at an all-time high, now is the time to work together and take action on antibiotic resistance.

LISA'S STORY

Lisa experienced a number of antibiotic resistant infections - including lung infections like pneumonia and surgical site infections. Recurring infections where she ends up in hospital or unwell have a huge impact on Lisa's mental health too, and also her wider family who worry about passing other infections onto her.

Full Story

AMER'S STORY

Amer contracted a serious kidney infection while studying for his masters. During his final exam, Amer felt severe pain in his kidney and went straight to hospital. Originally Amer was sent home, but after collapsing he was rushed back to hospital and diagnosed with septic shock. The doctors said there was an 80% chance that Amer wouldn't have survived, but fortunately he was given the right antibiotic at the right time.

SHEILA'S STORY

Sheila's story of how constant urinary tract infections have caused her depression, anxiety and dread; and how nothing has changed over the last 50 years as she suffered and searched for a cure.

Full Story

WHAT CAN I DO TO TAKE ACTION?

It starts with action to take antibiotics responsibly and help prevent infections.

Spread the word

Start talking about the threat of antibiotic resistance and what we can do about it


Consider how you and others are affected


Share this report to start a conversation


Join others already talking about the issue

Call for action

Help advocate for change on a larger scale


Make your voice heard by speaking out about the issue


Find out how antibiotics are used in food production

Join the learning revolution

Change the way we create a future with antibiotics


Learn about the real-world issue of antibiotic resistance


Get involved in citizen science

 MEET THE CHANGE THE COURSE TASKFORCE

We’re honoured to have been working with some of the country’s leading experts – from microbiologists to behavioural psychologists – to take a fresh look at the topic and share clear steps we can all take to make a difference.

Prof Christine Bond

University of Aberdeen and Trustee and Education Committee Chair
Antibiotic Research UK

Carla Brown, PhD

CEO and Founder
Game Doctor Ltd

Professor Colin Garner

Chief Executive
Antibiotics Research UK

Phil Graves

Behavioural psychologist and Managing Director
Shift Consultancy

Sara Kenney

Engagement Streategist and Creative Director
Wowbagger Productions

Dr Ulla McKnight

Research Fellow
University of Sussex

Dr Adam Roberts

Microbiologist
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

This campaign and report have been funded by Pfizer UK. The taskforce members have been contracted as part of the campaign to provide their independent and expert advice.

PP-UNP-GBR-7682 / January 2024
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