FDA issues Veterinary Feed Directive final rule for antibiotic use in farm animals

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced new restrictions regarding the use of antibiotics in cows, chickens and other farm animals in an attempt to fight the spread of superbugs that have become increasingly resistant to infection-fighting drugs.

FDA has outlined the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) final rule that will put the use of these drugs under the supervision of veterinarians to ensure they are used only to improve animal health.

As per the rule, veterinarians in all states will be given a framework that will authorise them to administer antimicrobials in feed when required for specific animal health purposes.

The increasing use of antibiotics in both animals and humans has created microbe strains that do not respond to popular forms of treatment anymore, reported the Wall Street Journal.

As per the final rule, veterinarians are required to issue all VFDs within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).

FDA deputy commissioner for foods Michael Taylor said: "The actions the FDA has taken to date represent important steps toward a fundamental change in how antimicrobials can be legally used in food-producing animals.

"The VFD final rule takes another important step by facilitating veterinary oversight in a way that allows for the flexibility needed to accommodate the diversity of circumstances that veterinarians encounter, while ensuring such oversight is conducted in accordance with nationally consistent principles."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, uncured pathogens result in the death of an estimated 23,000 Americans and sicken two million annually.

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Image: The final rule will need veterinarians to supervise the use of antibiotics in farm animals. Photo: courtesy of franky242/freedigitalphotos.net.