Since 2017 the WHO has provided a classification of all globally available antibiotics which can be used as a tool to support antibiotic stewardship. The AWaRe classification puts antibiotics into 3 groups: Access, Watch and Reserve, with the aim of using at least 60% of antibiotics from the Access class.

The Watch group incorporates broader spectrum antibiotics which are more likely to cause resistance and C. difficile infections, whilst Reserve antibiotics are last-line options for multi-drug-resistant organisms.

The South African Antibiotic Stewardship Programme (SAASP) has introduced a wonderful web app antibiotic decision support tool providing syndrome treatment algorithms, spectrums of activity, tissue penetration tables and other useful information. It also classifies all antibiotics according to AWaRe.

Download the SAASP web app here.