Antimicrobial stewardship in ocular infections: Fourteen years of over‐the‐counter chloramphenicol in Australia.

The article discusses the use of chloramphenicol, an antibiotic, in the treatment of ocular infections, specifically microbial keratitis. The article highlights the importance of timely and appropriate antimicrobial therapy in preventing corneal damage and vision loss. It also addresses the global issue of antimicrobial resistance and its impact on the treatment of infectious diseases. The article focuses on the availability of chloramphenicol over-the-counter in Australia and the concerns raised by healthcare professionals regarding its misuse and potential for promoting resistance. The decision by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration to reject a proposal to allow direct-to-consumer advertising of chloramphenicol is supported by evidence. The article emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of resistance rates and the importance of judicious prescribing practices to ensure patient safety. [Extracted from the article]