On November 18, 2019, the Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, in collaboration with the Centre of Research Excellence in Reducing Antibiotic Resistance (CRE REDUCE) at The University of Queensland, organized the scientific seminar entitled “Antimicrobial Resistance and Optimization.”

The seminar brought together leading experts in the field of antimicrobial resistance from the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as representatives from the World Health Organization. From Vietnam, notable speakers included Associate Professor Dr. Dang Nguyen Doan Trang, Head of the Department of Pharmacy at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, and Dr. Vu Dinh Hoa from Hanoi University of Pharmacy.

The seminar commenced with presentations by Professor Rogier van Doorn and Professor Greg Fox, who highlighted the current situation and challenges of antimicrobial resistance in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia. Dr. Susan Luu, representing the World Health Organization (WHO), discussed the organization’s approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam and the Asia–Pacific region in combating this growing public health threat.

The program continued with in-depth discussions on a variety of important topics, including:

• Optimization of antibiotic dosing strategies for different patient populations and geographic regions;
• Economic considerations in antimicrobial therapy;
• Advances in the development and application of novel pharmaceutical dosage forms;
• Strategies to bridge the gap between scientific research and clinical practice.

In her presentation, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Nguyen Doan Trang shared practical experiences from the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, highlighting initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of pharmacists in ensuring the safe and effective use of antibiotics. These efforts contribute significantly to antimicrobial stewardship programs and help reduce the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

The seminar provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange among researchers, healthcare professionals, and students, while fostering international collaboration in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. It also emphasized the critical role of interdisciplinary cooperation and evidence-based practice in addressing one of the most pressing healthcare challenges of the modern era.