Health Canada has announced it is introducing a couple of important changes this year affecting the way animal antibiotic products can be accessed by producers.
All livestock producers in Canada as of Dec. 1, 2018, will need a prescription from a licensed veterinarian before they can buy a medically important antibiotic (MIA) for therapeutic use in livestock production.
This will apply to all beef cattle sectors using antibiotics — cow-calf operators, feedlots and feedmills (and really all sectors of animal agriculture including beef, dairy, hogs, sheep, horses, fish and even bees).
The new policy applies to injectable products, and also includes some boluses and calf scour treatments, and Component and Compudose implants.
At the same time, the new policy does not apply to certain antimicrobials such as the ionophores, which are not considered to be medically important in managing disease in humans.
Livestock producers and owners can learn more about these changes, how they can prepare for a smooth transition, and can also find the list of drugs that will require a prescription as of Dec. 1, 2018, at: http://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/prescription-required-for-livestock-cattle-antibiotics-december-2018
Source: Beef Cattle Research Council
