WHO Aware

Logo for the WHO Aware Classification

The WHO Aware Classification is a method to categorize antibiotics into three groups to improve antibiotic stewardship. The classification is based on the risk of antibiotic resistance developing.

The three groups are "access" which means use can be unrestricted, "watch" which means care should be taken, and "reserve" which means they should be saved for cases in which other options are not possible. The list as of 2021 contains 258 items.[1]

The classification was developed by the World Health Organization and launched in 2017.[1]

## Contents

* 1 Classification
* 1.1 Access
* 1.2 Watch
* 1.3 Reserve
* 2 References
* 3 External links

## Classification[edit | edit source]

### Access[edit | edit source]

This group has a lower risks of antibiotic resistance.[2][3] They are generally inexpensive and safe.[2] They are generally first or second line treatments.[2] They should be readily available when needed.[3] They are highlighted in green.[2]

### Watch[edit | edit source]

They are generally only recommended if other options are not possible.[2] They should be used carefully to save their effectiveness for those cases in which "access" antibiotics are not appropriate.[3] Costs are also generally greater.[2] They are highlighted in yellow.[2]

### Reserve[edit | edit source]

They are generally last line options and used for infections not treatable by other antibiotics, ie multi-drug-resistant organisms.[2][3] They are highlighted in red.[2]

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "2021 AWaRe classification". www.who.int. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.

## External links[edit | edit source]

* The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.