Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has reintroduced the “Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA).”  According to Slaughter this legislation is to “stop the overuse of antibiotics on the farm.”  She states, “Since 1977, when the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged the threat of antibiotic-resistant disease and called for a reduction in the use of antibiotics in animals, we have been waiting for meaningful action to protect public health.  Instead, we’ve gotten delays and half measures and as a result even common illnesses like strep throat could soon prove fatal. I’ve introduced this legislation because Congress must act immediately to protect the public health.”  This legislation would not allow the use of medically important antibiotics except for the treatment of a sick animal, including Cephalosporins, which was added to this year’s legislation.  Antibiotic use in animals will be an issue during this year’s reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fees Act (ADUFA).  The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) will mark up its ADUFA bill on March 20. 

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