Vet practices encouraged to join Antibiotic Amnesty
Last year over 2,458 antibiotic tablets were returned to participating practices.
The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance – Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA CA&E) has called for more veterinary practices to sign up to Antibiotic Amnesty as the campaign approaches its third year.
The amnesty will see veterinary practices, organisations and charities collaborate to educate pet owners about antimicrobial resistance and raise awareness of the importance of the safe use of antibiotics.
Throughout November, veterinary practices are asked to set up a pharmaceuticals bin where clients can safely dispose of any unused or out-of-date antibiotics. Practice teams should also have proactive discussions with clients about safe antibiotic usage.
It is hoped that the initiative will tackle the ongoing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when animals are treated unnecessarily with antibiotics. Not only does this cause microbes to develop an immunity to the medication, but it also has the potential to make medical conditions more difficult to diagnose.
The inappropriate disposal of antibiotics can also lead to environmental pollution, which harms wildlife and can lead to the development of new illnesses.
This year’s campaign follows the success of Antibiotic Amnesty 2023, which saw over 2,458 antibiotic tablets returned to participating practices – more than three times the 2022 total.
There were also 160 oral suspensions, 119 topical preparations and 11 antibiotic injections safely disposed of during the amnesty.
The individual practice which received the most returned antibiotics was Wilbury Vets in Hove. The practice recorded 285 tablets, seven packs of topicals and six bottles of oral suspension.
RUMA CA&E hopes that the success of Wilbury Vets will inspire even more veterinary practices to take part and record how many antibiotics they collect.
Steve Howard, secretary general of RUMA CA&E, said: “We are fully aware of the pressures on the profession, so the increase was great to see and we are very grateful to those that took part. However, we know that there is still much work to do to get even more practices onboard this year.
“The overarching aim of an initiative such as this, is to focus attention and efforts both across the profession and in support of educating pet owners of the role they can also play in preventing AMR through antibiotic stewardship (AMS) activities.”
Veterinary practices can sign up and access resources on the Antibiotic Amnesty website.
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
