We believe that judicious use requires the oversight of a veterinarian at some point in the decision making process. The law prohibits extra label use of antimicrobials in the feed. Extralabel antimicrobial therapy must be prescribed only in accordance with the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its regulations. Veterinarians should work with those responsible for the care of animals to use antimicrobials judiciously regardless of distribution system through which the antimicrobial was obtained. Judicious use requires the oversight of a veterinarian at some point in the decision making process.
Veterinarians are the primary source of information on the use of swine antimicrobials.
Veterinarians must accurately communicate written, adequate directions to the client for antimicrobial use. The extra label uses of OTC antimicrobials fall within the regulatory constraints of the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act and thus requires veterinarian oversight. Regimens for therapeutic antimicrobial use should be optimized using current pharmacological information and principles. Package inserts should be considered as sources of information for the practitioner. Continuing education is an important component of maintaining and enhancing the veterinarian's pharmacological knowledge.