Context:

Multi-drug resistant strains of organisms have become a common occurrence in many hospitals. Optimal use of antimicrobials is one of the essential elements in ensuring that the activity of newer antimicrobials, such as daptomycin and tigecycline are preserved. The problem with resistant strains has also resulted in new searches to identify new indications for older antimicrobials, such as colistin and chloramphenicol. The pharmacist in secondary care is more likely to encounter use of these newer antimicrobials and should therefore be familiar with their indications and spectrum. This workshop will attempt to do this with the help of a multi-disciplinary team. Participants will be presented with a number of case scenarios and will be invited to discuss these with their colleagues.

This workshop is limited to 30 participants.

Teaching goals:

• to understand the importance of appropriate antimicrobial treatment, specifically, appropriate use of newer antimicrobials
• to provide participants with some basic knowledge related to therapeutic innovations in the area of antimicrobials
• to ensure adequate pharmaceutical care is delivered to patients on antimicrobials by using the appropriate antimicrobial

Learning objectives:

At the end of the workshop, the participants will be familiar with the properties and uses of some newer antimicrobials and some newer indications for older antimicrobials.