Veterinarians asked to comment on cannabis-derived product use in practiceVeterinarians asked to comment on cannabis-derived product use in practice

Focus of RFI is on CBD products and other products derived from hemp.

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Person pouring a dropper into a bottle of CBD oil
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine is seeking comments from the public, especially veterinarians, regarding the use of cannabis-derived products in animals. The FDA is interested in general trends associated with cannabidiol products and other products derived from hemp, such as usage trends, quality standards, benefits of use, potential drug interactions, adverse events and safety problems, and toxicological concerns.

The FDA notes information received through the RFI will enhance the agency's knowledge of potential safety signals associated with CDPs and improve the FDA’s understanding of veterinarians’ experiences related to the use of CDPs in their animal patients.

Currently, no FDA-approved, conditionally approved, or indexed animal drugs contain CBD. The Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 permits veterinarians to prescribe extra label uses of approved human and animal drugs for animals under certain conditions Extra label use of a drug is only allowed through a licensed veterinarian in the context of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship and when the health of an animal is threatened or suffering, or death may result from failure to treat.

However, extra label use of an approved human drug in a food-producing animal is not permitted if an animal drug approved for use can be used instead in an extra label manner. The FDA notes if scientific information on the human food safety aspect of the use of the approved human drug in food-producing animals is not available, the veterinarian must take appropriate measures to ensure that the animal and its food products will not enter the human food supply.

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While there is some limited published information about use of CDPs in animals, the FDA notes significant data gaps exist surrounding many aspects of CBD and other CDPs in animals, and further research is necessary to assess the safety and effectiveness of these products.

The Federal Register notice about the RFI contains instructions for submitting comments. The FDA will fully consider all comments, including comments submitted anonymously if someone does not wish to provide their name along with their submission. The specific questions in the RFI are intended to guide the public, particularly veterinarians, in providing the information that will be most helpful to the FDA. The comment period for this RFI opens on Jan. 16, and will be open for 90 days, ending on April 16.

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