By now, you’ve heard about the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine’s (FDA-CVM) change in purchasing medically important over-the-counter antimicrobials for animals that currently need a veterinary prescription on June 11, 2023 This is one of several regulatory changes implemented regarding the administration of antimicrobials in food-producing animals in the last decade due to growing concern over the metaphylactic treatment of animals that produces food and antimicrobial resistance. As part of the 2012/2013 FDA-CVM release of guidance for industry (GFI) #209, “The Reasonable Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals,” the FDA addressed- CVM that:
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Limit medically important antimicrobial drugs to the use of food-producing animals that are considered necessary for ensuring animal health.
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Limit medically important antimicrobial drugs to food-producing animals that involve veterinary supervision or consultation.
This led to the introduction of GFI #213, “New Animal Drugs and New Animal Drug Combination Products Administered in or in the Medicated Feed or Drinking Water of Food-Producing Animals: Recommendations for Drug Sponsors for Voluntarily Aligning Product Conditions Uses” with GFI #209. These recommendations led to changes in the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD), where a written statement must be issued by a licensed veterinarian to authorize the use of a VFD drug in or on feed. of animals. The two goals of GFI #213 are:
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To eliminate the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs for improving production (for example, increased weight gain or better feed efficiency) claims rather than the specific treatment of a recognized disease.
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Implement additional veterinary supervision due to their scientific knowledge and clinical training in the treatment, control and prevention of disease to ensure the judicious use of medically important antimicrobials.
Most recently, as part of FDA’s five-year action plan for antimicrobial stewardship, GFI #263, “Recommendations for Sponsors of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs Approved for Use in Animals to Voluntarily Bring All Products Continued to Be Available Over-the-Counter Under Veterinary Supervision” ensures that any medically important antimicrobial available over the counter is subject to veterinary oversight and prescription (Rx) status in marketing for therapeutic medical treatment of all animals.
After a brief history lesson, you can easily see how veterinarians have become gatekeepers for food-producing animal production operations and their own ability to manage animal health and disease. This brings me to the point of this article. As cattle or dairy cattle producers, we must maintain a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with a licensed veterinarian to obtain the antimicrobial drugs needed to treat sick animals. cow. The FDA defines a valid VCPR as one that meets the following requirements:
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A veterinarian assumes responsibility for making medical judgments about the health of an animal(s) and the need for medical treatment.
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The client (the owner of the animal or animal or other caretaker) agrees to follow the instructions of the veterinarian.
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Have sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) of the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s).
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The practicing veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in the event of adverse reactions or failure of the therapy regimen. Such a relationship can only exist if the veterinarian has recently seen and personally knows the keeping and care of the animal(s) by examining the animal(s), and/or by medically appropriate and timely site visit. where the animal(s) are kept.
Veterinarians offer a wealth of knowledge about maintaining proper animal health and basic farming practices. Find a veterinarian who is willing to have and maintain a VCPR with you. Make regular visits to the farm each year to familiarize your veterinarian with your farm’s animals and management practices. Veterinarians can offer regular field consultations by phone (ie, telemedicine), but annual field visits are still required. Veterinarians can offer advice on developing biosecurity protocols for your farm to prevent future disease threats. Work with your veterinarian to develop a herd health protocol/schedule for disease treatment, control and prevention throughout the year. This may include protocols for calving, breeding, vaccinations, weaning, receiving calves, dehorning, castration, euthanasia and medicated feeding options if necessary.
Beef Checkoff and Beef Quality Assurance have created a Cattle Care Tool Kit Checklist to review and prepare your cattle operation so you can have these items ready when the tool is needed. Preparation is important when the animal’s health is at risk because time can be of the essence for positive treatment and recovery outcomes. Take the time now to have meaningful conversations with your veterinarian about preparing your cattle operation for herd health events.
