‘A terrible future could be on the horizon, a future which rips one of the greatest tools of medicine out of the hands 
of doctors. A simple cut to your finger could leave you fighting for your life. Luck will play a bigger role in your future than any doctor could… This is the future without antibiotics.’
Sounds like the stuff of a big Hollywood sci-fi movie? No, it’s a real problem and last week, pupils from years 7 to 9 at Rydal Penrhos School were challenged to find out more about antibiotics: their discovery, use, cost and side effects.
With expert advice from Mrs Susan Murphy, Locality Lead for Pharmacy and Medicines Management (Central Area), the pupils worked in groups to research the topic and to come to a decision about whether the use of antibiotics should be banned altogether.
This workshop was one of the enrichment activities that form an important part of the school’s extra-curricular programme.
Pupils are challenged to take subject learning into new contexts, to form opinions on important contemporary issues, and to develop their team-working and presentation skills.
This workshop was also valuable for opening up the possibilities of careers in pharmacy to pupils, thanks to Mrs Murphy’s valuable input.