Featured News

An article authored by Public Outreach Committee members Sara DiTursi, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP and Madeline King, PharmD, BCIDP was published in a digital version of an Infectious Diseases campaign, which appeared at the Future of Personal Health. The campaign was promoted in USA Today to enhance public understanding of the risks and effects of infectious diseases while equipping individuals with essential resources to protect themselves and their loved ones. The article highlights why antibiotic stewardship is needed and how ID pharmacists lead efforts in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The SIDP Annual Report Committee is excited to share that the 2022 SIDP Annual Report is now available!

Please check it out here!

The SIDP Programs Committee and Board of Directors are excited to announce that we will be offering BCIDP credit in addition to ACPE credit for the following topics: 

• “MICs: Who Needs ‘Em? (No, Really-Who Needs Them?)” 
• “The wAIt is over: Artificial Intelligence Applications in Antimicrobial Stewardship” 

Note, the cost for BCIDP credit for SIDP members is $10 per session and ACPE credit is no charge. The cost for non-members is $20 per session for BCIDP and $10 per session for ACPE credit. Online registration will be open from July 1-October 1 Register today to take advantage!

The Programs Committee is hard at work and invites you to save the date for the annual SIDP Business Meeting and Reception on October 10, 2023, at the Seaport Convention Center in Boston, MA, one day prior to the start of IDWeek 2023 (October 11-15, 2023 in Boston, MA). The Business Meeting will feature a keynote speaker, educational programming, and more! Social reception with light appetizers and beverages to follow. Further details and registration coming soon!

On February 8, 2023, USCAST spoke about the vision and future goals for USCAST and the 2023 in vitro susceptibility test interpretive criteria (STIC, also known as susceptibility breakpoints) recommendations.

STIC were reviewed for piperacillin/tazobactam against Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, various agents against A. baumannii, and aminoglycosides against Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa. All slide presentations and Zoom videos from these presentations are now posted on the USCAST website, http://www.uscast.org/. The USCAST STIC recommendations based on these presentations are now open for public comment for the next 60 days. This open public comment period will end on April 30, 2023.

USCAST encourages all interested parties to review the presentations and to provide feedback on the content, recommendations, and process for evaluation for the topics presented via the USCAST website. Feedback that is received will be reviewed and considered prior to the finalization of STIC recommendations. They also welcome suggestions about potential pathogen/drug combinations for future evaluation. 

USCAST values your input and looks forward to hearing from you!

Reports of infections with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Verona Integron-mediated Metallo-βlactamase (VIM) and Guiana-Extended Spectrum-β-Lactamase (GES)-producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 12 states. 

Check out the full advisory from the CDC for more information.

Pharmacists are often sought out for opinions on drug efficacy and shortages in the news, and our awesome SIDP crew is no exception! 

Check out SIDP’s past presidents Kerry LaPlante and Jason Gallagher, and president-elect Sam Aitken speaking to how our current shortages with liquid amoxicillin are impacting patient care and how access is key to solving these shortages. 

Their articles can be found here:

• Kerry LaPlante, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, FIDP:
  https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/opinions/drug-shortages-antibiotics-ranney/index.html
   
• Jason Gallagher, PharmD, FCCP, FIDP, FIDSA, BCPS:
  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/983997
   
• Sam Aitken, PharmD, MPH, BCIDP:
  https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Online-First/Article/11-22/Amoxicillin-Shortage-Continues-Alternatives-Available/68737

The survey included ID Pharmacists and Physicians and found that 90% of them considered antimicrobial resistance to be a "major problem". Check out the full story here!

Pharmacies across the United States are reporting a shortage of oral amoxicillin suspension. The shortage is evolving and may extend to other oral formulations. The FDA reports the shortage may be in part, due to increased demand. This coincides with a rise in the number of children sick and or/hospitalized with respiratory viral infections, such as RSV and influenza. Though supportive care is the mainstay of treatment for viral infections, antibiotics may be indicated for the treatment of superimposed bacterial infections, including pneumonia and acute otitis media. While alternative antibiotics may be available depending on the indication, many have a broader spectrum of activity, increased toxicity, and excess cost relative to amoxicillin. Furthermore, it is anticipated alternatives may soon become in short supply as well, given increased usage.

The Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) encourages the judicious use of antibiotics, including prescribing antibiotics only when bacterial infections are confirmed or strongly suspected. SIDP also supports the use of the shortest, effective duration of therapy, along with watch-and-wait strategies when appropriate. 

Since respiratory viruses, such as RSV and Influenza, spread through respiratory droplets, SIDP suggests following appropriate precautions to reduce spread by handwashing, covering coughs/sneezes, and avoiding close contact with sick people. SIDP also suggests up-to-date vaccination for respiratory viral illnesses, including influenza and COVID-19.

Antibiotic Awareness Week is November 18-24, 2022. We invite patients and health care providers to join us in fighting against antimicrobial resistance and in optimizing use of antibiotics through antimicrobial stewardship by viewing available resources on our website at: https://sidp.org/Antibiotic-Awareness-Week.

The SIDP Programs Committee and Board of Directors are excited to announce Dr. Ilisa Bernstein, PharmD, JD, FAPhA, Interim CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) as the keynote speaker for the 2022 Annual Business Meeting. Dr. Bernstein will present, “A Seat at the Table: Advocating for ID Pharmacy.” 

The business meeting will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C from 2:30-6 p.m. EST on October 18, 2022, one day prior to the start of the live IDWeek^TM 2022 meeting. A reception with socialization, light appetizers, and beverages will immediately follow the business meeting from 6-9 p.m. EST. More information can be found at SIDP - Annual Meetings.

Additionally, we are pleased to announce a virtual option to attend the business meeting for those who are unable to attend in person. Please visit SIDP - 2022 SIDP Annual Business Meeting and Reception to register as a virtual attendee prior to October 18, 2022.