World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 18–24 November 2025

What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) happens when germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines designed to kill them.
When this happens:

  • Antibiotics and other treatments stop working
  • Infections become harder – or sometimes impossible – to treat
  • Illness can last longer and complications become more serious

AMR is already affecting health care around the world, which is why awareness and action are so important.

Why is WAAW important?

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is a global campaign run every year from 18–24 November. Its aim is to help everyone understand the dangers of AMR and how we can work together to stop drug-resistant infections from spreading.

Theme for 2025: “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.”

This year’s message highlights that AMR is not a future problem — it is happening right now. Drug-resistant infections are increasing, yet action and investment are not keeping up.
Everyone has a role to play in protecting the medicines we rely on.

Why does this matter?

AMR threatens:

  • Our health: infections become harder to treat
  • Our food systems: animals can also develop drug-resistant infections
  • Our environment: antibiotic waste can affect ecosystems
  • Our economy: more illness means higher health-care costs and lost productivity

Global health experts agree that we must act now to protect the treatments we depend on today and for future generations.

What needs to happen?

Tackling AMR requires long-term commitment from many sectors, including health care, farming, environmental protection and government. Key areas include:

  • Better monitoring of infections and resistance
  • Fair access to effective medicines and reliable tests
  • Support for research and new treatments
  • Responsible use of antibiotics in both people and animals
  • Stronger, more resilient health systems

Whether in hospitals, GP practices, farms, communities or homes — every action counts.

What can patients do?

  • Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a qualified health professional
  • Take antibiotics exactly as directed, and complete the full course
  • Never share antibiotics with others or use leftover medicine
  • Prevent infections by keeping up with vaccinations, washing hands regularly and practising safe food hygiene
  • Ask questions if you are unsure whether an antibiotic is needed

By using antibiotics responsibly, we can all help keep them effective for the future.

AMR: Key Global Facts

  • By 2050, drug-resistant infections could cause up to 10 million deaths each year.
  • Failing to address AMR could cost the global economy £66 trillion in lost productivity.
  • In just over 30 years, AMR may cause more deaths worldwide than cancer and diabetes combined.
  • Antibiotic resistance already adds over £1 billion a year to health and societal costs in the EU.
  • From the 1930s to 1960s, 14 new antibiotic classes were developed; since 1968, only five new classes have been created — and none for human use since 1984.
  • Several cases of extremely drug-resistant gonorrhoea have been found globally, including in Australia and England.

 

Published on 18 November 2025