AWaRe Classification

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WHO Antibiotic Categorization „AWaRe“

To assist in the development of tools for antibiotic stewardship at local, national and global levels and to reduce antimicrobial resistance, WHO developed the Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics where antibiotics are classified into different groups to emphasize the importance of their appropriate use.

ACCESS GROUP ANTIBIOTICS

This group includes antibiotics that have activity against a wide range of commonly encountered susceptible pathogens while also showing lower resistance potential than antibiotics in the other groups. They are essential antibiotics that should be widely available, affordable and quality assured.

WATCH GROUP ANTIBIOTICS

This group includes antibiotic classes that have higher resistance potential and includes most of the highest priority agents among the Critically Important Antimicrobials for Human Medicine and/or antibiotics that are at relatively high risk of selection of bacterial resistance. These medicines should be prioritized as key targets of stewardship programs and monitoring.

RESERVE GROUP ANTIBIOTICS

This group includes antibiotics and antibiotic classes that should be reserved for treatment of confirmed or suspected infections due to multi-drug-resistant organisms. Reserve group antibiotics should be treated as “last resort” options. These medicines should be protected and prioritized as key targets of national and international stewardship programs.
Reserve Antibiotics are only available on demand. Contact us for further information.

For more information, see the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 21st edition.