FDA Issues Restrictions for Antibiotic Use in Livestock

On Wednesday, FDA announced new restrictions on the use of a class of potent antibiotics known as cephalosporins in healthy animals out of concern that overuse of the drugs could promote resistance and produce strains of bacteria harmful to humans. The restrictions, which will take effect on April 5, will make it illegal to give the antibiotics as a preventive treatment for healthy livestock. However, veterinarians still will be permitted to use them to treat specific illnesses. Public health advocates applauded the new restrictions, but many industry advocates say FDA has exaggerated the dangers of the use of antibiotics in livestock and contend that there is no scientific evidence to support their claims.

• "Citing Drug Resistance, U.S. Restricts More Antibiotics for Livestock" (Harris, New York Times, 1/4).
• "FDA Moves To Restrict Use of Antibiotics in Livestock" (Tomson, Wall Street Journal, 1/4).
• "FDA Restricts Class of Antibiotics in Animals" (Yukhananov, Reuters, 1/4).
• "FDA To Limit Antibiotics To Treat Livestock To Prevent 'Superbugs'" (ElBoghdady, Washington Post, 1/4).