The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming recently praised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for limiting the use of cephalosporins in food animal production.

Cephalosporins are vital treatments for children suffering from infection; unlike other antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, they carry no warnings or precautions for pediatric use.  They also are important medicines for treating people suffering from bacterial meningitis and infections of the bone, urinary tract, and upper respiratory system, as well as those associated with cancer.

“We applaud FDA’s move,” said Laura Rogers, project director of the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming. “This restriction is a victory for human health, as it will help ensure we can still rely on cephalosporins to treat life-threatening infections today and in the future.”

Although FDA has approved cephalosporins to treat some infections in food animals, the drugs often are administered in ways not specifically approved by the agency.  Its rule will apply to such extralabel use of cephalosporins in meat and poultry production, which multiple studies have linked to the emergence of cephalosporin-resistant bacteria that can infect people.

If cephalosporins continue to be overused on industrial farms, these drugs will lose their effectiveness.  As a result, many human infections will become more difficult to treat, leading to more deaths and higher health care costs.

“This action is a good first step,” added Ms. Rogers, ”and we encourage FDA to issue guidelines expeditiously that restrict the overuse and misuse of other critical antibiotics on industrial farms.”

In 2010, officials from FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testified before Congress that there was a definitive link between the uses of antibiotics in food animal production and the crisis of antibiotic resistance in humans.  In addition, many medical organizations including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization warn that this practice is putting human health at risk.

To ensure additional human antibiotics work when we need them, the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming also urges Congress to pass the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (H.R. 965, S. 1211). A 60-day public comment will follow FDA’s announcement, during which Pew will submit a formal response to the agency.

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The American Veterinary Medical Association has announced that the FDA’s order prohibiting certain uses of cephalosporins in food animals appears consistent with the current AVMA position on the limited prohibition on extra-label drug use, but warned against further restrictions not backed by science.

Cephalosporins, a class of antimicrobial drug used in livestock, poultry, and other food-producing animals, are also commonly used in humans to treat pneumonia and a wide range of skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, and inflammatory disease. The FDA said it is limiting the use of cephalosporins in animals to preserve the effectiveness of the drugs for treating disease in humans and reduce the risk of cephalosporin resistance in certain bacterial pathogens.

“The AVMA is pleased that the FDA reviewed and thoughtfully considered the many comments received from stakeholders, including veterinarians, while taking action to preserve the effectiveness of cephalosporin drugs for treating disease in humans,” said Dr. Rene Carlson, AVMA president. ”

Veterinarians are committed to improving the health and welfare of people, animals, and the environment, and we hope the FDA’s order will allow veterinarians to have therapeutic options for food animals while also protecting public health.”

The AVMA is evaluating the prohibition of cephalosporins for preventive uses and will submit a response to the FDA during the comment period. The AVMA has a strong position which underscores the importance of veterinary access to antimicrobials for preventive use to enhance food safety, public health, and animal welfare.

“We are committed to the judicious use of antimicrobials in food animals,” said Dr. Carlson. “While this measure appears to be consistent with our position, we will continue to review any further restrictions to make sure they are backed by science and don’t place arbitrary and ultimately harmful limits on veterinarians’ ability to treat animals and ensure a safe and healthy food supply.”

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.

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