FDA seeks input on judicious use of medically important antimicrobials

The Food and Drug Administration is seeking public comments regarding the establishment of targeted durations for the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs for therapeutic purposes administered in feed or water for food-producing animals. FDA wants to obtain additional information on:
♦ The underlying diseases requiring these drugs for therapeutic purposes, and periods when livestock or poultry are at risk of developing these diseases;
♦ More targeted antimicrobial-use regimens for these diseases and husbandry practices that may help avoid the need for these antimicrobials, or that may help make more targeted antimicrobial use regimens more effective; and
♦ Strategies for updating affected labeling of drug products that do not currently include a defined duration of use.
Earlier, FDA issued Guidance 213 which when implemented would limit the use of drugs to therapeutic-only use under the oversight of a veterinarian. [link]