October 27, 2006

Animal diseases prompt increase in antibiotic production for 2005

Antibiotic production for animals increased in 2005 as animal diseases became more prevalent, according to the Animal Health Institute (AHI).

While the production of antibiotics to treat, prevent and control animal disease rose in 2005, that for maintaining animal health and promoting growth fell.

Total antibiotic production for use in animals rose 12.3 percent, according to a survey of AHI members, which consist of companies that make medicines for pets and farm animals.

Animal health and human health are inextricably linked so protecting animal health is a vital aspect of protecting human health, said AHI president and chief executive officer Alexander S. Mathews.

The two classes of compounds that accounted for the increase in production of antibiotics were ionophores and tetracyclines While the former was not meant for human medicine, the latter was currently undergoing a review by the Food & Drug Administration which applied to proposed antibiotics as well as those previously approved and currently in the market, said the AHI.

Also, antibiotic production could have risen in tandem with that of meat production, which rose 1.3 percent in 2005.

Meanwhile, antibiotics used to maintain the health of animals and enhance growth dropped to 4.5 percent, the association noted, mirroring trends in Europe.