The Global Contribution of Pharmacists in Antimicrobial Stewardship During COVID-19 in Hospitals

This systematic review by Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, Zoe Aslanpour, and Nkiruka Umaru from the University of Hertfordshire, UK, investigates the global role of pharmacists in Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores how pharmacists, as medication experts, contribute significantly to AMS across various countries, both in high-income and low-middle-income settings, before and during the pandemic. The study, encompassing 16 studies and using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, categorises pharmacist roles as per the US Infectious Disease Society of America and Public Health England's AMS toolkit. It highlights the essential role of pharmacists in AMS teams, education, clinical guidelines, and prospective audits. The research underscores the complexity of AMS implementation during COVID-19, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach, and suggests further research in more countries for a comprehensive global perspective.