Approved OTC medically important antimicrobial drugs under veterinary oversight

FDA has released draft guidance for industry (GFI) #263 to explain the recommended process for voluntarily bringing remaining approved animal drugs containing antimicrobials of human medical importance (i.e., medically important) under the oversight of licensed veterinarians by changing the approved marketing status from over-the-counter (OTC) to prescription (Rx). 

This is part of the FDA’s Five-Year Plan for supporting antimicrobial stewardship in  veterinary settings and builds upon the momentum generated by the implementation  of GF#213. Under GFI #213, animal drug sponsors worked in collaboration. with FDA over a 3-year period to voluntarily change OTC medically important antimicrobials used in the feed or drinking water of food-producing animals to VFD/Rx marketing status and eliminated the use of these products for production purposes (e.g., growth promotion).

These changes took effect in January 2017. A limited number of other dosage forms of medically important antimicrobials, such as injectables, are currently marketed as OTC products for both food-producing and companion animals. When Draft GFI #263 has been finalized and fully implemented, all dosage forms of all approved medically important antimicrobials for all animal species can only be administered under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian and only when necessary for the treatment, control or prevention of specific diseases.

See: https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/cvm-gfi-263-recommendations-sponsors-medically-important-antimicrobial-drugs-approved-use-animals

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)