The VFD s Are Coming Soon Dr. Mark Fox Thumb Veterinary Services Sandusky, MI Vita Plus Dairy Summit 2016 1
Outline for the next 25 minutes 1.Why VFD? 2.Are we doing things right? 3.Are we doing the right things? 4.Where are we headed? Why VFD? FDA (2013) Changes for antibiotic use in food producing animals FDA (2015) Final rule to VFD supporting judicious use of antibiotics in feed 2
VFD required after January 1, 2017 to feed medically important antimicrobial drugs in food animals. All medically important water soluble will be converted to a prescription (Rx) December 2016. Consider a VFD as essentially what we have been practicing with prescription antimicrobials (injectables) for years. Now it covers the oral route.in the feed. 3
Why VFD? Enhance judicious, responsible antibiotic use Heightened consumer awareness/concern Limit the development of microbial resistance Concern with shared class antibiotics (humans/animals) Key Principles Limit use of shared class antibiotics to those deemed necessary for therapeutic purposes. No longer growth promotion/feed efficiency claims Promote involvement of veterinary and nutrition science to establish need 4
Are we doing things right? This area has been hammered hard on all of us (in my opinion) Doing things right for the veterinarian (our responsibility) VCPR Veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making medical judgements and the need for treatment Sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) to initiate a general or preliminary diagnosis Readily available for follow-up, example adverse reactions or failure of treatment Recently seen and personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animals by virtue of examination, appropriate and timely visits to the farm where animals are kept 5
Doing things right for the veterinarian (our responsibility) Mostly Clerical Stuff Contact info names, addresses, phone Client, Veterinarian, Supplier FARM location Issue/Expiration dates (maximum 6 months) Mostly Clerical Stuff - continued Name of drug or legal combination Animal info (number of head, weight) Indications for use Dosage/Duration of use Withdrawl info No Extra label drug use allowed Provide copies of VFD producer, vet and feed supplier 6
This should be very familiar to all of us. This is current practice for prescription product. Doing things right for the producer Establishment of VCPR/VCTR Truly based on great commitment, communication and responsibility for both producer and Veterinarian. Most important..trust 7
Practical stuff..producers Plan ahead Feed VFD according to label Keep good records Prevent residues Observe expiration dates Maintain VFD order for a minimum of 2 years Again.this should be very familiar to your business 8
Are we doing the right things? Right thing Antimicrobial Stewardship we are all on the same team 9
We need to look at the big picture Are we providing the six freedoms (air, light, water, feed, rest and space) to the best of our ability to minimize disease? 10
The dairy industry leads the pack We are being watched! 11
Through sound management many of you have dramatically changed the prevalence of disease on your farms AWESOME! Just think how far we have come! 12
Goal should always be to provide the quality of care to minimize disease. 13
Are we doing the right things? When disease occurs (and it will!) are we striving for proper diagnostics and determining if the VFD medication is necessary? 14
15
16
Are we (vets/producers) basing antimicrobial needs on past history and habits? ex. Milk replacers Transition calves 17
The Big Question is,,,, (should we)??? Is there clinical justification for the use? This work has to be done before the VFD is created Mike Apley DVM, PhD., KSU 18
Doing the Right Things Our professions major challenge is not to master the VFD process, but rather it is that we now are not only responsible for authorizing the use of almost every antibiotic in food animals, we are also accountable. We will be accountable in an environment of ever increasing transparency. Mike Apley DVM, PhD., KSU Where are we headed? Enhanced role of non antibiotic products Ex: Nutricueticals Cytokines Immune Modulators Improved Vaccinology Genetics 19
You folks have led the way! You don t practice the same animal husbandry as your Grandpa once did! Where are we headed? Improved consumer transparency Improved animal well-being Becoming better stewards of antimicrobials by using science/biology to guide our use 20
The choice is ours for now! Let s seize the opportunity! 21