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Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) results in similar clinical characteristics as bacterial respiratory tract infections and can potentially lead to antibiotic overuse. This study aimed to determine the changes in hospital antimicrobial usage before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: We compared antimicrobial consumption data for 2019 and 2020. Inpatient antibiotic consumption was determined and expressed as a defined daily dose (DDD) per 100 occupied bed days, following the World Health Organization (WHO) methods. The WHO Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification was used. Results: The total antimicrobial consumption in 2020 increased by 16.3% compared to consumption in 2019. In 2020, there was a reduction in fourth-generation cephalosporins (-30%), third-generation cephalosporins (-29%), and combinations of penicillins (-23%). In contrast, antibiotics that were consumed more during 2020 compared with 2019 included linezolid (374%), vancomycin (66.6%), and carbapenem (7%). Linezolid is the only antibiotic from the Reserve group on the hospital’s formulary. Antibiotic usage from the Access group was reduced by 17%, while antibiotic usage from the Watch group and the Reserve group was increased by 3% and 374%, respectively. Conclusions: The findings show a significant shift in antibiotic usage from the Access group to the Watch and Reserve groups. The Watch and Reserve groups are known to be associated with increased resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, antimicrobial stewardship should be increased and maintained during the pandemic to ensure appropriate antibiotic use.

Introduction: Previous studies recognise insufficient time as an obstacle to pharmacists expanding their clinical based activities and services. For such a reason the role of well-trained ward-based Clinical Pharmacy technicians (CPTs) is to work as an integral part of the pharmacy team toachieve the best patient outcomes and medicines optimisation, releasing pharmacist time to complete more complex clinical related activities.Objective: To demonstrate quantitatively the range and extent of daily activities undertaken by CPTs during a patient's hospital journey. Conclusion:CPTs are completing more than seven different ward pharmacy related activities which enhance medicines optimisation, medicines management and patient care. They are a valuable resource carrying out many roles which were previously completed by junior pharmacists. Their prioritizing of patients for review ensures pharmacists focus their efforts on the most vulnerable patients.