Community pharmacists across the UAE were urged to embrace a proactive role in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by GMU’s Dr. Shabaz Mohiuddin Gulam during a recent Pharmacy Practice Update hosted by the NCH Academy at Al Owais Auditorium, Al Kuwaiti Hospital, Dubai on April 19 2025.
In a region where antibiotics are strictly dispensed by prescription, Dr. Shabaz focused on real-world scenarios relevant to community practice. For example, pharmacists were encouraged to advice against commonly prescribed but sub-optimal antibiotics using the National AMR Surveillance Reportand the local treatment guideline. Attendees were also urged to counsel patients on risks associated with oral antibiotics.
Dr. Shabaz Mohiuddin Gulam concluded with a strong call-to-action: “Antimicrobial stewardship is not confined to hospitals. Community pharmacists are on the front lines — counseling patients, collaborating with prescribers, and actively contributing to national AMR efforts.”
The session reinforced the pharmacist’s role as an educator, advocate, and trusted healthcare provider, critical to ensuring the success of AMS programs in the UAE and beyond.