The Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) is a non-profit organization comprising pharmacists and other allied health professionals specializing in infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship. According to the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties, clinical pharmacists specializing in infectious diseases are trained in microbiology and pharmacology to develop, implement, and monitor drug regimens. These regimens incorporate the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials for patients. Headquartered in Geneva, Illinois, the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) was founded in 1990 and has over 2,000 members engaged in patient care, research, teaching, the pharmaceutical industry, and government. The organization's mission is to advance infectious diseases pharmacy through collaboration, research, and education, and to lead antimicrobial stewardship to optimize patient care in various practice settings. To achieve its mission, SIDP collaborates with several healthcare organizations, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and American Society for Microbiology (ASM), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP), Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases (MAD-ID), and International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
Advocacy for Antimicrobial Stewardship The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified antimicrobial resistance as a significant public health threat. SIDP prioritizes promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials and reducing resistance. In 2003, SIDP warned of a potential exponential increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In 2009, SIDP supported a study that identified antibiotics with a lower likelihood of contributing to antibiotic resistance. The SIDP Policy and Government Affairs (PGA) Committee focuses on legislative and regulatory issues related to infectious disease therapeutics, antimicrobial use, and resistance. The SIDP Public Outreach Committee develops partnerships, activities, and programs to educate the public on the safe and effective use of antimicrobials and the role of pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship. The SIDP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is dedicated to creating a welcoming society and improving minority representation within its membership, leadership, and the profession. SIDP advocates to government and private entities on key issues and collaborates with strategic partners to educate the public and promote positive change.
Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) In January 2019, the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) convened to respond to a directive from the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, to gather public input on strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance. Former SIDP president Kerry LaPlante presented public comments emphasizing the need to prioritize the acceleration of research and development of new antimicrobials through innovative funding mechanisms, safeguard the supply of existing drugs, and develop strategies to mitigate shortages of anti-infective medications. LaPlante said, "Together, we scramble to concoct mixtures of antibiotics, using in vitro data, hoping to override resistance and hoping for synergy to save our dying patients. Many of these patients have already endured and overcome months of chemotherapy, only to find themselves kicked down and fighting for their lives – again." In September 2020, In September 2020, Elizabeth Dodds-Ashley, a former SIDP president, was appointed as a designated representative to the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB).
U.S. Government Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Challenge The U.S. Government Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Challenge, initiated in 2018, is a global effort that calls upon pharmaceutical and health insurance companies, food animal producers and purchasers, medical professionals, government health officials, and industry leaders worldwide to collaborate in combating antibiotic resistance. The AMR Challenge is a way for organizations to make formal commitments to further the progress against antimicrobial resistance. SIDP has submitted a commitment to the AMR Challenge to promote appropriate antimicrobial use. As part of this commitment, in 2019, SIDP collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists to develop educational materials on how pharmacists can improve antimicrobial use. Healthcare providers can submit a formal commitment to adopt these practices. According to Secretary Azar, nearly 350 national and international organizations have committed to the AMR Challenge, including Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Cancer Society, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the U.S. Department of Defense
Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance Act of 2023 (PASTEUR Act of 2023) Globally, an estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, with 1.27 million deaths attributed directly to bacterial AMR. The purpose of the PASTEUR Act of 2023 is to establish a program aimed at developing antimicrobials targeting difficult-to-treat bacterial and fungal pathogens, as well as addressing the most threatening infections, among other objectives. SIDP is among the 237 organizations that advocated for the advancement of the PASTEUR Act in 2023.
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