Developments in the regulation of veterinary antibiotics

摘要

Dr JG Beechinor, director of veterinary sciences at the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), provides an update on the regulatory steps being taken to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistanceAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a 'hot topic' in both human and veterinary spheres. It represents a significant threat to public health, in particular where it brings into sharp focus the need to balance individual needs for treatment against restraintfor the common benefit of the community. Even the terminology being used is keenly debated in the scientific community. Antimicrobial has been defined in EU legislation1 as including substances used to kill or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses or fungi, and protozoa. Although bacterial resistance to therapeutic antibacterials is the area of interest, for the purposes of expediency the abbreviation AMR will be used in this article. Recent developments in AMR regarding the public health significance of the use of antibiotics in animals have followed two main areas: scientific risk assessment and political initiatives. However, even the scientific risk assessments have been motivated by the need for evidence-based studies on which to inform future risk management measures.