Antibiotic and antimicrobial are often used interchangeably. There is a difference, however. Antibiotics are a class of pharmaceuticals which are substances produced by microbes.
Antimicrobials are similar to antibiotics but also include substances of synthetic origin.
Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of certain bacteria, which are normally destroyed by a particular antimicrobial, to survive exposure to that antimicrobial. The animal health products industry has funded numerous independent studies on the issue, and continues to develop new research. When developing a new animal pharmaceutical, manufacturers determine how that product should be used to most responsibly administer to the needs of the animal as well as people who eat meat, milk and eggs. Manufacturers are also committed to new product development in order to keep animal health products effective. Quality assurance programs, developed by livestock and poultry producers with help from the animal health products industry, promote proper and effective use of all animal health products, including antimicrobials.