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A survey reported in JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance has highlighted antimicrobial resistance (AMR) knowledge gaps among UK pharmacists and pharmacy technicians — as well as among GPs.

About one in 20 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians admitted they do not know what AMR is. Worryingly, 1 per cent of pharmacists and 3.5 per cent of pharmacy technicians thought antibiotics were effective against viruses, and 1.2 per cent of both groups believed antibiotics were effective against colds and flu. However, 97 per cent of the 762 pharmacists and 95.2 per cent of the 258 pharmacy technicians surveyed said they “know what AMR is”. 

Most pharmacists (94 per cent) and pharmacy technicians (86 per cent) said they “know what information to give”. However, only 94 per cent of pharmacists and 71 per cent of pharmacy technicians agreed they “have easy access to guidelines I need on managing infections”. Just 91 per cent of pharmacists and 63 per cent of pharmacy technicians felt they “have a key role in helping control antibiotic resistance”. 

The study, which was conducted in 2024, also found that 14 per cent of pharmacists and 48 per cent of pharmacy technicians were unaware that antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread between people, while 6 per cent and 15 per cent respectively did not appreciate that “healthy people can carry antibiotic resistant bacteria”. 

Only 75 per cent of doctors surveyed answered all seven knowledge questions correctly. For pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, the proportions were 72 per cent and 37 per cent respectively. 

“The findings highlight the potential importance of regular and tailored approaches to training,” the authors say.