FDA started to restrict veterinary use of medically important antibiotics several years ago. A veterinary feed directive is a written (nonverbal) statement issued by a licensed veterinarian in the course of the veterinarian’s professional practice that orders the use of a an antibiotic for food animals, including honeybees. This authorization must take place within a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship, and the veterinarian must be licensed in the state where the animals receiving the VFD feed are located.
FDA just announced a new case of VFD enforcement. According to court documents in the case, from 2012 through 2018, veterinary prescription drug shipments were distributed in wholesale locations directly to end users and unlicensed individuals, circumventing VFD authorization.
FDA announcement states “Two such unlicensed individuals, Marlin Webb and Billy K. Groce, were not properly licensed to receive, transport, store, distribute, or dispense veterinary prescription drugs. Webb was the store manager of a cooperative in Hillsville, Virginia. The cooperative was not a licensed wholesaler, pharmacy, or veterinary clinic. Groce operated an unlicensed veterinary prescription distribution business. Webb and Groce each obtained veterinary prescription drugs from AHI in interstate commerce without valid prescriptions, and on many occasions, with no prescriptions at all. Webb and Groce pled guilty to criminal charges for their conduct in United States District Court in Abingdon.”
Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack said: “FDA recognizes the importance of controlling the prescription drug supply for animals. The careless or uncontrolled distribution of prescription animal drugs poses a danger not only to the medicated animals but to the U.S. public health by increasing the risk that humans will become resistant to antibiotics that we unknowingly consume through our food supply. We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who distribute prescription animal drugs unlawfully.” more information on FDA announcement here.
