FDA forbids the use of cephalosporins in animals

Source: China Council for the promotion of drugs (2012-01-09) FDA has issued an order to prohibit cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys from using cephalosporins, an important class of antibacterial drugs for the treatment of human diseases The order came into effect on April 5, 2012 Antibacterials are not only important drugs to treat human diseases, but also to treat animal diseases The FDA issued the order in 2008 but revoked it before it was implemented After that, the FDA received a lot of public opinions FDA takes this action to maintain the effectiveness of cephalosporins in the treatment of human diseases The ban is intended to reduce the risk of cephalosporin resistance in certain bacterial pathogens Cephalosporins are commonly used in the treatment of pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection In addition, they are widely used in the treatment of pelvic inflammation, diabetic foot infection and urinary tract infection If cephalosporin is not effective in the treatment of these diseases, doctors may need to use less effective or more toxic drugs In its order, the FDA banned the use of off label or unapproved cephalosporins in cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys, which are the main food animals Specifically, the scope of prohibited use includes: · use of cephalosporins in an unapproved dose, frequency, duration or route of administration; · use of unapproved cephalosporins in cattle, pigs, chickens or turkeys (e.g., cephalosporins that may be used in humans or pets); ·Use cephalosporins to prevent disease In 2008, the FDA issued and then revoked an order banning the use of cephalosporins outside the label of edible cultivated animals under any circumstances In the announcement issued on January 4, 2012, the FDA adopted the public opinion to allow the use of cephalosporins in the following situations in order to protect the public and animal health needs: · the prohibition order does not include the cephalosporins drug cephalosporin, which has not been confirmed by the FDA to have a significant contribution to antibiotic resistance ·Veterinarians will still be able to limit the use of cephalosporins in cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys at regular doses, frequencies, treatment times and routes ·Veterinarians can also use cephalosporins for small edible and cultured animals, such as ducks or rabbits, according to the regulations outside the label "We believe that this is a necessary step to maintain the effectiveness of important antimicrobial agents that are necessary to protect human and animal health." Michael R Taylor, FDA's deputy director of food, said The period for Soliciting Opinions on the prohibition order is from January 6, 2012 to March 6, 2012 To comment on the prohibition, go to and enter fda-2008-n-0326 in the keyword box After the end of the comment period, FDA will evaluate the comments before the April 5, 2012 injunction takes effect Source: U.S Food and Drug Administration http:// questions and answers on FDA's cephalosporin order of promotion 1 Federal Register Notice 2 visit the FDA on Facebook 3 and Flickr 4