Much like a human needs to get a prescription from a doctor for certain antibiotics, farmers will now need to get the animal equivalent, a veterinary feed directive, from a veterinarian for feed-grade antibiotics.

The new regulation, effective Jan. 1, is a part of the Food and Drug Administration’s overall directive to ensure the judicious use of medically important antibiotics also used in humans. Previously, these antibiotics had over-the-counter status.

NEW REGULATION: Certain feed-grade antibiotics will require a veterinary feed directive for purchase.

In addition to requiring VFDs for antibiotics, the new rule also disallows antibiotic use to promote growth or feed efficiency.  According to FDA, it worked with drug manufacturers to voluntarily remove the label use for growth and feed efficiency, effectively eliminating that use.

 “The concern is antibiotic resistance developing in animal production, which has the potential to be passed onto humans and human health,” says James Averill, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development state veterinarian.

This new directive, which includes 12 antibiotics, is a result of the December 2013 FDA guidance for the industry. It expands the first phase of implementation that went into effect Oct. 1, 2015, putting antibiotics tylvalosin, tilmicosin, florfenicol and avilamycin under the VFD requirement.

Now, to use feed containing a VFD drug, a written order is required by a licensed veterinarian with whom the producer has a veterinarian client patient relationship.

A VCPR is defined as a working relationship between a veterinarian and a producer, where the veterinarian’s primary role is to advise and guide the producer in determining which medications are appropriate for their animals.

 “The big question, especially amongst the smaller producers, hobbyists and 4-H’ers, is how to secure a VCPR if you don’t regularly interact with a vet,” Averill says. “For the large-scale producers, things will change some, but it won’t be a huge disruption. For the smaller producers, I’m hearing concerns about locating a vet or not having a local veterinarian. I tell producers that it’s important to locate a veterinarian in event of an emergency, and we’re trying to help out with that. It’s always good to know a vet in your area whether needing a VFD or not.”

MDARD has mailed out a survey to practitioners to put together a list as to who is providing VFDs by county and expects to have it available on its website before the first of the year.

Michigan is using the federal definition of VCPR, which Averill says is a veterinarian who has working knowledge of an operation, including how the farm is laid out, how animals are raised, and a working knowledge of disease issues at that farm through examination or diagnostic testing. “The vet needs to know what is going on with a herd, flock or school of animals, and be able to respond if an animal has a reaction to a drug,” he says. “The general concept is it cannot be done over the telephone.”

It is noted that establishing this relationship with a vet may bring additional cost for those who don’t already have a relationship. “However, it’s best to be proactive, and we are actively trying to educate youth programs on this change,” Averill says. “Additionally, this may raise awareness of preventative practices — from biosecurity to vaccinations and nutrition. A lot of good may come from this conversation.”

Also, Averill says, producers need to keep in mind the VFD is only for feed-grade antibiotics. “I get the question, ‘Does that mean that penicillin is going away at TSC?’ all the time,” he says. “The use of injectable antibiotics will not be affected.”

According to FDA, the feed mill, veterinarian and producer will all need to keep a copy of the VFD on file for two years. 

Not all antibiotics will be considered VFD drugs. At this time, FDA has only moved antibiotics that are essential to human medicine and being fed to animals to VFD status.

Other feed directives, including Ionophore (often used as an anti-parasite drug that can also help with growth and feed efficiency), will not be impacted.

For more information, visit MDARD's VFD page.