USA - AVMA steering committee to collaborate with FDA on antimicrobial use

The American Veterinary Medical Assn. (AVMA) has created a committee specifically to provide input to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on policies and regulations governing veterinarians’ involvement in the use of antimicrobials in food animals.

The new Steering Committee for FDA Policy on Veterinary Oversight of Antimicrobials includes five members who will be charged with working with the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine to help develop practical means to increase veterinary oversight of antimicrobial use, AVMA said in an announcement.

“Antimicrobial resistance — and the debate on their judicious use — is an important issue facing veterinary medicine today. This committee was assembled to help FDA examine both the need for increased veterinary oversight in order to minimize any potential increase in human antibiotic resistance while still ensuring that these important medicines continue to remain available to veterinarians when needed,” AVMA executive board chair Dr. John Brooks said. “Each of these members was selected for their understanding of this delicate balance and for their ability to tackle tough issues objectively with the public well-being in mind.”