About "Ar A P U A"

Appropriate use of antimicrobials leads to complete cure and prevention of infections, while inappropriate use results in many problems:

1. Undue economic burden since the cost of antimicrobials forms an appreciable part of healthcare budget. In situations where prescription of antimicrobials was controlled, the cost of treatment could be cut down, on the long-run, despite substantial prices’ increase.
2. As regards patient care:

• Untoward clinical outcome, prolonging the duration of morbidity and may increase mortality rates.
• Increased incidence of antimicrobials adverse side-effects.

3. Emergence of resistant strains which can not be eradicated even by the most effective antimicrobials.
 

Because of the important role of these drugs, the two Arab Symposia for Antimicrobials were held; the first was in Amman, Jordan, 2000 and the second was in Damascus, Syria, 2002. The two symposia aimed at discussing the pattern of use of antimicrobials in Arab countries, identifying trends of antimicrobial resistance and recommending guidelines and standards which help in the prudent use of these agents.

Among the recommendations of the Second Symposium, were establishing a scientific Arab alliance for the prudent use of antimicrobials and holding the “Third Arab Symposium for Antimicrobial Agents” in Cairo, Egypt in 2004.

After discussion with our Arab colleagues, it was decided to formulate, “The Arab Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials (ArAPUA)” in Cairo, Egypt. Membership has been recommended to include all those concerned with the use of antimicrobials: physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists and microbiologists, from all Arab countries.

“The Arab Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials (ArAPUA)” was formulated and registered under the supervision of Ministry of Social Affairs in Egypt, registration no. is 1913 in 2003. Moreover, the "Third Arab Symposium for Antimicrobial Agents" was held in Cairo, Egypt, in March 2004 and the "Fourth Arab Symposium for Antimicrobial Agents" was held in Tunisia in April 2006, and the "Fifth Arab Symposium for Antimicrobial Agents" will be held in Lebanon in 2007.

It is worth mentioning that we need to thank Prof. Dr. Asem Elshehabi, Professor of Microbiology in Jordan Faculty of Medicine for all what he did. His continuous encouragement, and support through out all the procedures for formulating the Alliance and for holding the Arab Symposia, were major factors contributing to success.

Now the Alliance is a real entity, gathering many colleagues from many Arab countries. We hope that you all will be members in this Alliance, and we will all work together to achieve its objectives.