1. 1. Training for Community Pharmacists

The misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs is accelerating the development of resistance, this is especially observed when antimicrobials are available over the counter. Studies showed that more than 50 percent of antibiotics are sold without prescription globally, the situation in Nepal is even worse. Hence, GARP-Nepal in collaboration with Department of Drug Administration developed a training manual for community pharmacists to equip them with required knowledge on prudent use and sale of antimicrobials to limit the spread of resistance.

A Training of Trainers (TOT) program was organized at Department of Drug Administration (DDA) meeting hall for training the participants representing DDA, National Medicine Laboratory (NML), National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC) and National Health Training Centre (NHTC) on the burning issue of Antimicrobial Resistance. These trainers will then be providing successive trainings to community pharmacists and drug retailers.

2. 2. Orientation Program on Antimicrobial Stewardship (ASP) at Chitwan Medical College

Introduction of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) in health facilities have been found to be effective in bringing about a decrease of 22-36% in antimicrobial use. Working towards this, GARP Nepal together with DDA has initiated to start ASP Program across various institutions in the country and has prepared a Policy document ASP. An orientation program on ASP was organized at Chitwan Medical College to facilitate implementation of ASP at CMC.