The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a prohibition on using certain antimicrobial drugs in animals that are used for food. The order is part of a forward-thinking effort to reduce the resistance of certain pathogens to the drugs so they remain effective for human use.
Beginning April 5, the FDA will prohibit the use of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs on cattle, swine, chicken, and turkey. While the antimicrobial drug is currently used in both humans and animals, the ban seeks to preserve its effectiveness for treating diseases in humans. By prohibiting its use in animals, the hope is that certain bacterial pathogens will not be able to build a resistance against it.
"We believe this is an imperative step in preserving the effectiveness of this class of important antimicrobials that takes into account the need to protect the health of both humans and animals," said Michael R. Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods.
In humans, cephalosporins are commonly used to treat pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, diabetic foot infections, and urinary tract infections.
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