Livestock Management RANCHING Your Veterinarian Is an
Important Part of VFD Rules By Kristin Lewis Hawkins
F
ULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FDA’S GUIDANCE #213 WILL signifi cantly change the way medically important
antibiotics are used in animal agriculture by introduc- ing the requirement for a Veterinary Feed Directive to purchase products to be used in the food or water of an animal destined for consumption. Under these new guidelines, animal producers or caretakers will need to obtain authorization from a licensed veterinarian to purchase these antimicrobials for the prevention, control or treatment of a specifi cally identifi ed disease. The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) fi nal rule
requires veterinarians to issue all VFDs within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR), and specifi es the key elements that defi ne a VCPR. These elements include that the veterinarian engage with the client, such as the animal producer, to assume responsibility for making clinical judgments about the animal’s health, have suffi cient knowledge of the patient by virtue of patient examination and/or visits to the facility where the patient is managed, and provide for any necessary follow-up evaluation or care. By requiring ranchers to consult with a veterinarian
regarding the use of feed- and water-based antimicro- bials, the FDA hopes to ensure the judicious use of such products under a defi ned set of circumstances and ailments. Off-label use for unapproved ailments or for production purposes will be illegal. The fi nal rule will require veterinarians to follow
state-defi ned VCPR requirements, and in states where the FDA determines that no applicable or appropriate state VCPR requirements exist, veterinarians will need to issue VFDs in compliance with federally defi ned VCPR requirements. “From a practical standpoint, this change will
enable individual states to adjust the specifi c criteria for a VCPR to appropriately align with current veteri- nary practice standards, technological and medical advances, and other regional considerations,” said Dr. William Flynn, deputy director for science policy in FDA’s center for veterinary medicine. “This enables veterinarians to exercise their medical judgment to
64 The Cattleman March 2016
more effectively provide services to food animal pro- ducers in remote geographical areas where veterinary professional resources are limited and distances are great.” The change also helps facilitate veterinarians work-
ing in consultation with other animal health profes- sionals. However, the veterinarian will need to be licensed in the state in which the animals are located. For the purposes of VFD regulations, the term “cli-
ent” in VCPR typically refers to the person responsible for the care and feeding of the animals receiving the VFD feed. As described in the defi nition of the term “veterinary feed directive” the client may be the owner of the animals or another caretaker. Veterinarians will play an integral role in the VFD
rules by ensuring the proper use of medically impor- tant antimicrobial drugs according to label directions and only when appropriate to meet specifi c needs. By adding this level of oversight, the veterinarian can ensure proper use of the drug, including the appro- priate amount of time and at the correct dose, to the proper animals. Cattle raisers are advised to consult with their vet-
erinarian to formulate a plan of action, should these products be needed. Producers without a relationship with a veterinarian will be required to consult with one to develop a VCPR to ensure the proper use of drugs under the VFD label. By assuming this responsibility, the veterinarian will be required to have a suffi cient level of engagement with the client or producer to make clinical judgments about health and treatment by examination or facility visit and follow-up care.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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