JUNE 2018 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC
Antimicrobial lockdown
New regulations puts brakes on over-the-counter antibiotics
by BARBARA JOHNSTONE GRIMMER
PENDER ISLAND –
Canadian livestock producers can expect a major change in how they access some medications for their animals this year. Effective December 1, a veterinary prescription will be required to obtain medically important antibiotics for use in animals. These drugs will no longer be available for purchase at farm supply stores, co-operatives or other places where over- the-counter animal medications are currently sold. Medically important antibiotics such as penicillin will only be available with a veterinary prescription from a veterinarian or pharmacist or as a medicated feed from a commercial feed mill. Health Canada is driving this policy change in response to concerns about antibiotic resistance and to ensure there is more oversight and promotion of responsible antibiotic use in animals. “I can definitely foresee
some growing pains amongst producers and veterinarians as the new federal regulations regarding antimicrobials come into effect,” says Stacey Thomas, registrar of the College of Veterinarians of BC. Many of the classes of
antimicrobial drugs used in animals are also used in humans. Medically important antibiotics are essential for the treatment of serious and sometimes life-threatening infections in humans. If these drugs become ineffective due to the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, alternative and equally effective medications may not be available. Animal owners will need to
ensure they have a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). According to the Canadian
Veterinary Medical Association, a valid VCPR is considered to exist if medical records of the veterinary practice contain evidence of relevant and timely interactions between the veterinarian, animal owner or client, and animal patients. This may include farm
visits, consultations, individual animal examinations, herd or flock health checks, laboratory reports and production record reviews. The VCPR is more than a
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simple contract; it is a working relationship between veterinarian, client and a specific animal patient, or a herd or flock of animals. “The practical reality of these changes is that every producer (even an urban/suburban dweller that has a small “backyard” flock or herd, or a beehive) will need to establish a VCPR with a veterinarian to obtain what has traditionally been accessible over-the-counter in feed and pet stores,” says Thomas. BC Cattlemen’s Association general manager Kevin Boon says, “It is about animal welfare at the end of the day,” adding, “Large animal veterinarians are in demand, and this will add to that demand.” Some livestock producers
live in rural and remote areas without a veterinarian nearby; other producers may have a veterinarian nearby but they may decline offering their service to livestock producers because they are a small animal veterinarian. The costs associated with veterinary visits and dispensing fees for antibiotics is a major concern for many producers
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Most dairy producers already have a good rapport with their veterinarian but with new legislation regarding the use of antibiotics coming soon, all producers are urged to foster that relationship. FILE PHOTO
The college acknowledges
it is aware of the intent of the federal changes and that change is inevitable. “This shift can and will be accommodated for but it won’t happen overnight, and we can all expect some growing pains, says Thomas. “A veterinarian who has been solely practising small animal medicine since the day they graduated five, 10 (or) 20 years ago is not likely to be equipped with the necessary level of skills and knowledge to suddenly shift scope to offer services to a production animal herd,” explains Thomas. “The college has a role to play
in bringing the federal changes (and the practical issues that will arise from them) to the attention of our registrants so that they may anticipate and work proactively to meet the demand that will arise, and certainly we need to assess our own processes to try to find ways to adapt to a new reality.” The key for livestock
producers is to be proactive and not wait for illness or an emergency before looking for a vet.
The vet college
recommend establishing a VCPR beforehand, allowing
for flexibility for a farm visit and discussion about management techniques and husbandry. “In more remote/isolated
areas of the province, this could require some lead-time,” says Thomas, “Establishment of a VCPR is not a token gesture and will not equate to a “rubber stamping” of a prescription without any consideration for need.” The positive outcome of
this regulatory change is likely to be a reduced reliance on antimicrobials through better preventative care, improved management and alternative treatments.
DRY WITH THE SPEED OF LIGHT
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