Page 14 - MWC 3-9-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · March 9, 2023 · P14
OVER-THE-COUNTER ANTIBIOTICS WILL REQUIRE VETERINARY OVERSIGHT (RX)
BEGINNING IN JUNE OF 2023
By Gustavo M. Schuenemann, DVM, MS, Ph.D., Professor, Dairy Cattle Health and Management, Veterinary Extension Specialist, Ohio State University Extension
By June of 2023, all medically ers who previously may have the health of your animal(s). restrictions will apply to all
important antibiotics currently purchased these drugs over The practical explanation is companion and farm animal
available at most feed or farm the counter at their local farm that it is a formal relationship species.
supply stores will now require supply store. To continue using that you have with a veterinar- How do your health
veterinary oversight (written medically important antimicro- ian who serves as your primary protocols measure up?
Rx) to be used in animals, even bials, you may need to estab- contact for all veterinary ser- Health protocols are cus-
if the animals are not intended lish a veterinary-client-patient vices and is familiar with you, tomized for individuals and
for food production. Examples relationship (VCPR). Consult your livestock/animals, and farm-specific, and practicing
of affected antibiotics include your veterinarian for more in- your farm operation. This vet- veterinarians are often asked
injectable penicillin and oxytet- formation. erinarian is referred to as your to develop and write protocols
racycline. In addition, some re- What is a veterinarian- Veterinarian of Record (VoR), for individual farms, particu-
tail suppliers who were able to client-patient-relationship? and both the VoR and the client larly health protocols. Inject-
sell these drugs/products in the A veterinarian-client-pa- should sign a form to document able antimicrobials alone will
past may no longer sell them tient-relationship (VCPR) is this relationship. not work as intended if animals
after June of 2023. This means defined by the American Vet- What species are included? are experiencing pain (drop
that small and large animal erinary Medical Association as From companion dogs and feed and water intake) and/or
veterinarians should be pre- the basis for interaction among cats to backyard poultry, and dehydration.
pared for an increase in calls veterinarians, their clients, and from rabbits and show pigs to
and visits from animal own- their patients and is critical to large livestock farms. The same

VETERINARY PRESCRIPTIONS REQUIRED FOR ANTIBIOTICS IN THE COMING MONTHS
By Julie Harker
Several antibiotics used in this drug to use by or on the veterinarian to issue a prescrip- Because of this, farm stores in
cattle and other livestock will order of a licensed veterinari- tion, a veterinarian-client-pa- Missouri may choose not to sell
require a veterinary prescrip- an.” tient relationship (VCPR) must antibiotics once they require
tion in the coming months. This Once antibiotics with the be established. In Missouri, a prescription. Please contact
change represents the final revised labeling reach retail lo- this means a veterinarian is your local store for more infor-
phase of the Food and Drug cations in the coming months, acquainted with the keeping mation.
Administration’s efforts to they will require a prescription, and care of your animals either It is important to note that
bring all medically important Payne said. by examination or timely vis- veterinarians dispensing drugs
antibiotics approved for use in Considering the impact of its to the operation where the to their own clients are ex-
animals under veterinary over- these changes, producers may animals are kept. You will need empt from these regulations
sight by June 11, 2023. have questions. These are the to contact a local veterinarian and that pharmacy regulations
“This will end over-the- questions Payne encounters for further details about the vary from state to state.
counter (OTC) sales of antibi- most often: requirements for establishing Will I be able purchase
otics and livestock owners will Which antibiotics will be and maintaining a VCPR. these antibiotics from on-
need a prescription from a vet- affected? See the table below Will these changes lead line vendors that are not lo-
erinarian if they want to con- for examples of antibiotics af- to additional expenses? It is cated in Missouri, provided
tinue to have access,” said Uni- fected. not known if the changes will I have a prescription? On-
versity of Missouri Extension After June 11, will I need affect antibiotic prices. How- line pharmacies that conduct
veterinarian Craig Payne. He a prescription to use anti- ever, there are expenses asso- interstate business must follow
said antibiotics won’t necessar- biotics purchased before ciated with establishing and federal and state requirements
ily need to be purchased from a the label change? FDA in- maintaining a VCPR. Someone when distributing, dispens-
veterinarian, but a prescription tends to allow existing stocks who already has a VCPR estab- ing or delivering prescription
will be required regardless of of OTC antibiotics to be deplet- lished should expect little to no drugs. Many of the popular
where they are purchased. ed and a prescription will not additional expenses associated online vendors currently sell
Many antibiotics went be required for use. However, with these changes. prescription drugs and are al-
through a similar transition in if the antibiotic is being used My local farm store cur- ready in compliance with these
2017. Feed antibiotics that had extra-label (in a manner that rently sells some of the an- requirements. Contact the ven-
once been available OTC began is not in accordance with the tibiotics affected by GFI dor with any additional ques-
to require a veterinary feed di- approved label directions), a 263. Will they be able to tions you may have.
rective (VFD), and OTC anti- veterinary prescription is re- sell these antibiotics once
biotics delivered in the water quired. they require a
required a prescription. I don’t own cattle, but I prescription?
“However, some antibiotics do use some of the antibi- In Missouri, any
remained available OTC in the otics affected by GFI 263 business that
form of injectables, intramam- in other species. Will I still sells, dispenses, or
mary tubes, boluses, etc.,” said need a prescription? Yes. A fills orders for an-
Payne. prescription will be required imal prescription
FDA’s Guidance for Industry regardless of the species you drugs is required
#263 (GFI 263) specifically ad- intend to use it in. to have a state
dressed these antibiotics with I don’t use a veterinarian. pharmacy permit
the expectation that by June How do I ensure I have ac- and must comply
11, 2023, these remaining OTC cess to antibiotics once the with the rules and
antibiotics must display the fol- changes occur? You will need statutes associ-
lowing language on the label: to work with a veterinarian to ated with hold-
“Caution: Federal law restricts ensure continued access. For a ing that permit.