Antimicrobial stewardship education in undergraduate UK pharmacy programmes: a competency-based approach.

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health threat, making antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) crucial for the responsible use of antibiotics. Pharmacists play a key role in AMS teams, improving clinical, microbiological, and cost outcomes. Their involvement has been linked to better metrics such as reduced hospital stays, improved guideline adherence, and lower morbidity and mortality rates. In the UK, the Antimicrobial Prescribing and Stewardship (APS) Competency Framework, first established in 2013 and updated in 2023, aims to improve antimicrobial prescribing quality and mitigate risks from inadequate treatment. This framework also informs the teaching competencies for healthcare students to ensure they meet national standards upon graduation.