The Global Respiratory Infection Partnership (GRIP) Australia arm has launched, looking to raise awareness of antibiotic stewardship. Their mission statement is:

“We, the Global Respiratory Infection Partnership, recognising the imminent onset of the post-antibiotic era and taking full cognisance of the declining numbers of new antibiotics in development hereby commit to:

• Consistent, sustainable evidence-based advocacy and intervention for rational antibiotic use and antimicrobial stewardship
• Formulating a framework for non-antibiotic treatment options for respiratory tract infections, such as sore throat, common colds, influenza and cough
• Facilitating multi-stakeholder commitment to antibiotic stewardship and rational antibiotic use.“

The group said inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) was a leading cause of antibiotic overuse in Australian primary care. It looked to further understanding of treatment options for upper respiratory tract infections among healthcare professionals, with a local website to be launched in the coming weeks.

GRIP is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Reckitt Benckiser. The website includes downloadable patient education leaflets and education modules on the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.

See the website for more information or to get involved http://www.grip-initiative.org/home/