In a major move to curb the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the Federal Government has launched the Surveillance and Prescribing Support for Antimicrobial Stewardship Resource Capacity Building (SPARC) App an innovative digital tool aimed at promoting rational use of antibiotics and enhancing treatment outcomes across the healthcare sector.
The official unveiling took place on Friday in Abuja during a high-level event attended by health stakeholders and partners. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who was represented by Pharmacist (Mrs.) Olubunmi Aribeana, Director of Food and Drug Services in the ministry, declared the app “Live in Nigeria,” noting its potential to revolutionize clinical prescribing practices.
“This is not just a digital platform it’s a weapon in our fight to protect lives and preserve the effectiveness of medicines,” Prof. Pate stated.
Developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and supported by the Fleming Fund, the SPARC App serves as a comprehensive resource for Nigeria’s Standard Treatment Guidelines (NSTG) on infectious diseases. It included protocols for diseases like COVID-19 and will soon incorporate guidelines for antimicrobial use in animals.
Designed exclusively for healthcare professionals—doctors, pharmacists, and prescribers—the app aims to standardize antimicrobial prescriptions, ensuring antibiotics are used only when needed, at the right dose, and for the right duration.
“The app will support responsible prescribing, reduce misuse of antibiotics, and help prevent the rise of drug-resistant infections,” Prof. Pate explained.
The minister highlighted that AMR arised when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist treatments, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread and mortality. Nigeria has adopted a National Action Plan on AMR (NAP 2.0), coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The SPARC App supported the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) pillar of the NAP, which promotes evidence-based antibiotic use across the One Health spectrum—human, animal, and environmental health.
Prof. Pate called on all prescribers, especially physicians, to integrate the SPARC App into their daily clinical practice, emphasizing that user feedback will be critical to improving the tool’s performance.
“We must act now. Every prescription must be guided by evidence. The SPARC App provides that evidence at your fingertips,” he urged.
In her welcome remarks, Pharm. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Aribeana, represented by Mr. Tunde Atanda, Director of the National Food Safety Quality Programme, commended the collaborative nature of the project. She noted that the SPARC App exemplifies the combined efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Federal Ministry of Environment, CPA, and other partners.
“Already in use across 22 Commonwealth countries, this app when fully implemented in Nigeria has the capacity to significantly transform antibiotic prescribing and reduce treatment failures linked to AMR,” she said.
The launch of the SPARC App marked a new milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat AMR through digital innovation and inter-agency collaboration.
