Latest News From Antibiotic Resistance

USDA Awards $3.2 Million to Fund Antimicrobial Resistance Dashboards
USDA Awards $3.2 Million to Fund Antimicrobial Resistance Dashboards

USDA's APHIS is awarding more than $3.2 million to create antimicrobial resistance dashboards to improve access to information on antimicrobial resistance in domesticated animals.

Preparing for Prescription-Only Antibiotics in Livestock Industry: Important Changes Ahead
Preparing for Prescription-Only Antibiotics in Livestock Industry: Important Changes Ahead

While another month has come and gone for the 2023 production year, if you haven't already heard, June will hold some significant changes for the livestock industry in the area of antibiotics.

Over-the-Counter Antibiotics: What You Need to Know Before June 11
Over-the-Counter Antibiotics: What You Need to Know Before June 11

On June 11, FDA’s Guidance for Industry #263 brings 91 over-the-counter antimicrobial products from OTC to prescription oversight. Three experts weigh in on why you need to prepare for this change now.

Nine Research Grants Focus on Improving Beef and Swine Antibiotic Use
Nine Research Grants Focus on Improving Beef and Swine Antibiotic Use

The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) has awarded nine grants to develop management strategies that improve judicious antibiotic use in beef cattle and swine.

livestock
DVM Reaches out to Livestock Owners about OTC Antimicrobials move to Rx

Sandra Stuttgen, bovine veterinarian and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, says now is the time for livestock owners to establish a relationship with their DVM.

USDA Seeks to Fund Antimicrobial Resistance Dashboard Development
USDA Seeks to Fund Antimicrobial Resistance Dashboard Development

Antimicrobials are some of the most critical tools for treating infections and saving people and animals. That's why APHIS is making up to $3 million in funding available to create antimicrobial resistance dashboards.

NIFA Invests $5M in Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain
NIFA Invests $5M in Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain

USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced an investment of more than $5 million to mitigate antimicrobial resistance across the food chain.

growing resistance bacteria milk
FDA Releases 2019 NARMS Report

A summary of the 2019 National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) report can be reviewed online.

Probiotics May Pose Risks to Animal and Human Health
Probiotics May Pose Risks to Animal and Human Health

Probiotics may not be as beneficial for animal and human health as people think, according to recently published research at Kansas State University. Here's why.

Animal Health Companies Target Ways to Lower Antimicrobial Resistance
Animal Health Companies Target Ways to Lower Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a “One Health” challenge that requires effort across both human and animal health sectors. Animal health companies have invested billions as part of a strategy to reduce antibiotic use.

Universities Partner to Study Antimicrobial Use in Food Animal Production
Universities Partner to Study Antimicrobial Use in Food Animal Production

Kansas State University & University of Minnesota researchers collaborate with the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine and food animal industries to evaluate systems for collecting and evaluating antimicrobial use data.

In evaluating metaphylaxis programs for cattle, it's important to observe the post-metaphylaxis interval (PMI) or post-treatment interval (PTI), especially with today’s longer-acting antibiotics.
5 Guiding Principles For Using Metaphylaxis In Cattle

In evaluating metaphylaxis programs, it's important to observe the post-metaphylaxis interval (PMI) or post-treatment interval (PTI), especially with today’s longer-acting antibiotics.

One hundred countries around the globe are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics.
7 Alternatives To Antibiotic Use Identified By Researchers

A new report,“Beyond Antibiotics: The Future of Animal Health Alternatives,” identifies alternatives that could help support the animal health industry and producers, while reducing antibiotic use.

Feedlot cattle
Cattle Antimicrobial Resistance Research

A Texas Tech researcher has received funding from both USDA and NCBA for a project to evaluate the distribution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer in high-risk cattle.

Changes to the use conditions of these products will be based on science and available evidence, and the FDA believes this RFA will help generate such information.
FDA Offers Funds for Duration of Use Studies

Research needed to help define duration of use for certain medically important antimicrobial drugs for food animals.

FDA’s 2018 Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food-Producing Animals showed domestic sales and distribution increased 9% between 2017 and 2018.
Antibiotic Rules Continue to Evolve

Market forces and regulatory actions will drive emphasis on disease prevention and antibiotic stewardship.

For more information and to register online, visit Washington State University’s Veterinary Extension Website.
Partnering for Dairy Antimicrobial Stewardship

A Conference for Farmers and Veterinarians in the West

Most livestock antibiotics now sold over the counter will require a veterinarian's prescription in the near future.
Prepare for More Antibiotic Rules

Market forces and regulatory actions will drive emphasis on disease prevention and antibiotic stewardship.

John Maday
New Year, Same Issue

As we enter a new year and a new decade, antibiotic stewardship remains on the top of issues affecting food-animal veterinarians.

Sales of antimicrobial products for use in food animals dropped dramatically during 2017, the first full year of implementation for FDA’s Guidance for Industry 213 and veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules.
Antimicrobial Sales Post Moderate Increase in 2018

FDA’s annual summary report on antimicrobial sales for use in food animals shows a small year-over-year increase in 2018, but the total remains well below pre-VFD levels.

NIAA collaborated with the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education (NIAMRRE) in Ames, Iowa.
2019 NIAA Antibiotics Symposium Proceedings Now Available

This year's 9th Annual Antibiotic Symposium expanded its focus to include scientific updates on antimicrobial resistance, research, technology and innovation.

Polly Welden, NIAA Communications
NIAA: Aiding Communication, Collaboration and Consensus

NIAA has provided a platform for education and discussion on antibiotic stewardship since 2010 at its first annual Antibiotics Symposium.

The site includes graphic illustrations showing trends associated with the five-year plan.
FDA Announces Veterinary AMR Performance Measures on FDA-TRACK

Performance measures track the progress of the Center of Veterinary Medicine’s (CVM) Five-Year Plan for Supporting Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Settings.

Purdue Researcher Takes on Antibiotic Resistance
Purdue Researcher Takes on Antibiotic Resistance

Dr. Seleem’s expertise, and the focus of his research, is on developing new antimicrobials and improving delivery of drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases that affect both animals and humans. 

The new guidance would include dosage forms including injectable or intra-mammary antibiotic products now available over the counter for use in beef and dairy cattle.
FDA Releases Draft GFI to End OTC Sales of Most Animal Antibiotics

Proposal would bring remaining approved over-the-counter medically important antimicrobial drugs used for animals under veterinary oversight.

The draft guidance covers dosage forms such as injectable or intra-mammary antibiotic products now available over the counter for use in beef and dairy cattle.
FDA Releases Draft GFI to End OTC Sales of Most Animal Antibiotics

The proposal would bring remaining approved over-the-counter medically important antimicrobial drugs used for animals under veterinary oversight.

The comment period will now close on January 6, 2020.
FDA Extends Comment Period on Withdrawal Times

On September 11, 2019, the FDA extended the comment period for its request for public input on zero-day withdrawal periods and zero-day milk discard times for animal drugs.

Before and after the current Veterinary Feed Directive rules took full effect in January, 2017, the FDA focused primarily on education and outreach.
FDA Reports on VFD Compliance

On August 29, FDA released its first report on inspection and compliance activities.

The theme of the Symposium will be “Communicating the Science of Responsible Antibiotic Use in Animal Agriculture.”
NIAA Hosts Antibiotic Symposium with NIAMRRE

The 9th Annual NIAA Antibiotic Symposium will be in Ames, Iowa at Iowa State University, October 15–17, 2019.

Zoetis targets livestock immunotherapies as alternatives to antibiotics.
Zoetis Establishes Veterinary Research Lab at CSU

The R&D incubator lab at Colorado State University brings livestock health research, jobs to Fort Collins.

The R&D incubator lab at Colorado State University brings livestock health research, jobs to Fort Collins
Zoetis Establishes Veterinary Research Lab at CSU

Zoetis targets livestock immunotherapies as alternatives to antibiotics.

John Maday
New FDA Guidance Clarifies Labeling for Drugs Used in Feed

The FDA has issued a new Guidance for Industry (GFI #181), which provides content and format regulations for the representative “Blue Bird” labeling to be used for Type B and Type C medicated feeds.

John Maday
PEW Supports FDA’s Biomass Method for Monitoring Antibiotic Use

The biomass method would adjust antibiotic sales data by livestock population, providing more valuable information than the current use data.

John Maday
PEW Supports FDA’s Biomass Method for Monitoring Antibiotic Use

The biomass method would adjust antibiotic sales data by livestock population, providing more valuable information than the current use data.

Ionophores and chlortetracycline were the antimicrobials fed on the highest percentages of feedlots.
NAHMS Reports Baseline Data on Antimicrobial Stewardship

New data from the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) provides a baseline for antibiotic trends in food animal during 2016, prior to implementation of key rule changes.

If animals change ownership but remain under the care of the same caretakers, the existing VFD remains valid.
Part 2: Webinar Addresses VFD Questions

In late March, FDA released its draft Guidance for Industry 120, which aims to address questions that emerged since implementation of the current Veterinary Feed Directive rules in 2017.

FDA will accept comments on the draft GFI until May 28.
Part 1: Webinar Addresses VFD Questions

When the FDA issued its final VFD rules back in 2015, they also released a draft guidance for industry offering answers to anticipated questions regarding application of the rules in common and unusual circumstances.

The first webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 12:00 pm Central Time, will focus on questions and answers as they apply to veterinarians.
Webinar to Outline FDA’s Update to VFD Policies

Earlier this year, the FDA provided updates to its Draft Guidance for Industry (GFI) 120, based on stakeholder questions regarding details around the veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules.

Updating the dosage regimens of the affected approved animal drug products is a significant scientific and technical challenge.
FDA Offers Funding for Duration-of-Use Studies

The FDA this week announced a funding opportunity and Request for Applications (RFA) for studies that can help target and define durations of use for certain medically important antimicrobial drugs approved for use in the feed of food-producing animals.

The revised draft guidance adds 53 new Q&As and revises 14 on a wide range of topics related to the VFD final rule.
FDA Draft Guidance Updates VFD Q&A

When the FDA issued its final veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules back in 2015, they also released a draft guidance for industry (GFI) offering answers to anticipated questions.

Antibiotics in Calf Milk Rations Studied
Antibiotics in Calf Milk Rations Studied

A group of Chinese dairy researchers recently examined whether the presence of antibiotics in the liquid ration impacted the growth, ruminal function or gut microbial population of preweaned calves.

John Maday
Resistance Grows Among Zoonotic Pathogens

Zoonotic diseases, such as campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, continue to build resistance against common antimicrobial drugs, according to a new European report.

John Maday
Resistance Grows Among Zoonotic Pathogens

Zoonotic diseases, such as campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, continue to build resistance against common antimicrobial drugs, according to a new European report.

Use of antimicrobials for growth promotion has declined from 60 to 45 countries since the last round of data collection.
OIE Report Shows Global Progress on Use of Antibiotics in Animals

Efforts toward improving stewardship of antibiotics in livestock production have gained momentum worldwide, with more countries regulating antibiotic use and collecting data to document trends.

John Maday
Headed in the Right Direction

U.S. sales of medically important antimicrobials for use in food animals dropped considerably last year according to the latest summary report from the FDA. The decline in 2017 accelerated a trend that began in 2016.

John Maday
Headed in the Right Direction

U.S. sales of medically important antimicrobials for use in food animals dropped considerably last year according to the latest summary report from the FDA. The decline in 2017 accelerated a trend that began in 2016.

FDA audits typically begin with the feed distributor, with follow-up visits with veterinarians and producers when inspectors find inconsistencies. (John Maday)
VFD Audits: What to Expect

Follow the rules, keep good records and you shouldn’t have to worry about FDA audits.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) hosted the 2nd International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics in Paris, France.
Papers Summarize Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics

As global pressures mount to reduce the use of antibiotics in food-animal production, scientists work to identify production practices and technologies to cost-effectively protect animal health and performance.

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) chose Iowa State to lead the institute, which will utilize a One Health approach to comprehensively tackle the AMR problem.
ISU Will Host National Antimicrobial Resistance Center

Iowa State University has been selected to establish and host a new national Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Education.

John Maday
Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Need for International Standards

Like other pathogens and agricultural pests, antibiotic-resistant bacteria do not recognize international borders.