Perspectives on antimicrobial use in pig and layer farms in thailand: legislation, policy, regulations and potential
Authors:   Phayao Provincial Livestock Office, Phayao 56000, Thailand, Nuangmek Aniroot , Rojanasthien Suvichai ,   Integrative Research Center for Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Yamsakul Panuwat ,   Integrative Research Center for Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Tadee Pakpoom ,   Integrative Research Center for Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Eiamsam-ang Thanaporn ,   Integrative Research Center for Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Thamlikitkul Visanu ,   Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand, Tansakul Nattasit ,   Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand, Suwan Manat ,   Graduate school, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand, Prasertsee Teerarat ,   Department of Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand, Chotinun Suwit ,   Integrative Research Center for Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Patchanee Prapas ,   Integrative Research Center for Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Published: November 2021

Irrational use of antimicrobials is a major problem worldwide. The comprehensiveness of the existing legislation and veterinary pharmaceutical regulatory system has been critically evaluated and its practical implementation was assessed in this study. A cross-sectional survey study, and an in-depth interview of key informants involving the layer and pig farm owners/managers of farms located in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Chonburi Provinces were conducted. The Thai FDA is responsible for pre-marketing and authorizes relevant officials of DLD to enforce drug acts related to the post-marketing of veterinary drugs/biologics. These existing legislations and regulations were comprehensive enough to cover all areas of pharmaceutical activities developed to protect the health of the public and animals in the country; however, the enforcement of these rules may not be properly enforced or may be ineffectively executed. Rules regarding veterinary pharmaceuticals being distributed throughout the country have not been clearly stated. Farmers can easily access veterinary pharmaceuticals, and veterinarian prescriptions were not needed. Additionally, the relevant benefits were among the most important reasons for choosing to use antimicrobials on farms, along with a lack of availability of better alternative products for the treatment of infections. Intensive legislation and regulation enforcement were considered to be the most effective means of reducing antimicrobial usage and abuse in Thailand.