April 5, 2013

Philippines food authority calls for end to veterinary antimicrobials advertisements

The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are calling for an end to television broadcast and print advertisements that promote indiscriminate use of veterinary antimicrobials on fighting chickens and livestock.

In its Advisory 2013-006, dated April 3, the FDA said the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in raising poultry and livestock may lead to harmful bacteria that will be resistant to antimicrobials.

"All veterinary drug outlets are prohibited from dispensing veterinary antimicrobials without the written order of a licensed veterinarian," said acting chief, Kenneth Hartigan-Go.

He also cited the Department of Health's Administrative Order No. 65, issued in 1989, which "prohibits the advertisement and promotion of all prescription or ethical drugs in any form of mass media."

Veterinary antimicrobial products control infections and restore an animal's health.

However, the FDA noted some veterinary antimicrobials are "admixed" in feeds or added in drinking water to promote growth, improve feed efficiency or feed conversion rate and to prevent disease.

"Livestock are traded worldwide and as a result of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) affecting the animal food supply of one country may become a potential problem for others. Studies have shown in other countries that some human bacterial infections have proved difficult to treat even with limited use of new antibiotics for hospitalised patients," the FDA added.