The Food and Drug Administration issued its final rule concerning the Veterinary Feed Directive which brings the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals under veterinary supervision to ensure that these drugs are administered under veterinary supervision and are used only when necessary to protect animal health.
FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, Mike Taylor, said, “That means using a product for a specifically identified disease, at the right dose, and for the period of time stipulated on the label.” The final rule outlines the process for authorizing the use of VFD drugs and provides veterinarians in all states with a framework for approving the use of medically important antimicrobials in feed for specific animal health purposes. Veterinarians also will be required to issue all VFDs within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, sufficient knowledge of the animal, visits to the farm, and follow-up evaluation and care. This rule is effective Oct. 1.
