Policy in Practice: Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Post-COVID-19

This policy in practice report, authored by Dr Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, explores the practical implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in the post-COVID-19 landscape. Drawing from expert commentary and insights presented during the April 2025 South Centre webinar, the report identifies critical lessons from the pandemic and translates them into actionable AMS strategies, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Q&A format addresses real-world challenges, including integrating AMS into universal health coverage, building AMS capacity in resource-constrained settings, and ensuring continuity during health emergencies. The report highlights the pandemic’s paradox of antibiotic overuse and limited access, and underscores the need for context-specific, resilient stewardship frameworks. It also provides practical recommendations to support prescribers, health authorities, and policymakers in embedding AMS within health systems. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration, data-driven practices, and sustained leadership engagement to confront antimicrobial resistance and safeguard global public health.