For the third consecutive year, ACCP held an international symposium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In keeping with previous years’ symposia, the 2016 program titled “Antimicrobial Stewardship: Focus on Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and the Role of the Pharmacist” focused on the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance and the important role pharmacists can play in optimizing rational antimicrobial therapy for patients with lower respiratory tract infections.

The symposium, held on October 30, 2016, in conjunction with the 3rd Annual GCC Pharmacy Congress, was very well received. The topics covered helped attendees achieve objectives to identify common pathogens associated with lower respiratory tract infections; discuss mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance; select evidence-based antimicrobial therapy for patients with lower respiratory tract infections; and identify pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship strategies to improve antimicrobial use. Attended by international pharmacists from the region, the symposium featured Dr. Michael B. Kays, associate professor of pharmacy at Purdue University College of Pharmacy, who engaged the participants in activities that helped them apply the knowledge gained to practice scenarios and patient cases.

In addition to holding the Antimicrobial Stewardship symposium, ACCP’s director of international programs, Dr. Wafa Y. Dahdal, shared with attendees of the GCC Pharmacy Congress updates on global initiatives and advances in pharmacist patient care services. She discussed the need for, benefits from, and barriers to collaboration between academia and practice to advance pharmacy education, practice, and research toward advancing patient care.

Dr. Michael B. Kays engages participants taking part in ACCP’s Antimicrobial Stewardship symposium held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.