A global investigation into antimicrobial knowledge in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and veterinary undergraduate students: A scoping review to inform future planetary health multidisciplinary education.

Background: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials can push the environment out of balance, and cause unnecessary waste that can contaminate our soil, animals and waterways. Health professional education is committed to preparing students for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and supporting planetary health, but a more multidisciplinary action is needed to curb the expansion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of this scoping review is to showcase the current antimicrobial knowledge of undergraduate students across the disciplines of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry and veterinary.

Strengthening accountability for tuberculosis policy implementation in South Africa: perspectives from policymakers, civil society, and communities.

Background: Translating health policy into effective implementation is a core priority for responding effectively to the tuberculosis (TB) crisis. The national TB Recovery Plan was developed in response to the negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on TB care in South Africa. We aimed to explore the implementation of the TB Recovery Plan and develop recommendations for strengthening accountability for policy implementation for this and future TB policies.

Implications of the South African National Drug Policy on prescribing patterns: a case study of the Limpopo province.

Background: The South African National Drug Policy (SA-NDP) was introduced to promote rational medicine use (RMU). This study evaluates the quality of prescribing in the public healthcare sector in South Africa's Limpopo province following the World Health Organization's (WHO) rational prescribing standards. In addition, the prescribing practices in South Africa were compared to other African countries.

A call for social accountability within pharmacy education: Concepts, relevance, and accreditation.

Introduction: Social accountability (SA) is a leap to excellence in health education. While pharmacists are ideally situated in the healthcare setting to practice SA through research, service, and practice, SA is underrepresented in pharmacy education.

Commentary: Here the foundational concepts of SA, the relevance to pharmacy education, as well as the accreditation considerations for the implementation of SA are discussed.