PHASE A: INTRODUCTION
Quality Assurance
QA programs for producers • annual review of antibiotic use
• audited by independent third party
• compliance required for antibiotic use
• require drug logs
• include incentives and penalties
• improved surveillance on prescriptions and antibiotic use
• regulation and review of antibiotic use on farms
• mandatory ongoing education is a component of QA
• mandatory Livestock Medicines Courses to purchase antibiotics, include industry personnel in training
• veterinarians have a“ train the trainer” role
• voluntary reduction in antibiotic use by producers
• encourage buy-in and engagement
• educate on identifying sick animals early, decrease mass treatment with antibiotics, improve responses to first treatment, assure informed use, reasons for extra label drug use, value of prescription only antibiotics, drug choices and rationale, consequences of misuse, record keeping
• Institute financial penalties for producers for high antibiotic use
• Include incentives with a substantial premium for participation in QA
• conduct pilot project, evaluate compliance and ensure program is credible and practical
• require up to date records
• include over-riding principles and specific uses in protocols and standard operating procedures( SOPs)
• SOPs for all common conditions and vaccination protocols written by veterinarians- include decision trees, flow charts to aid in prevention, diagnosis and treatment
• monitor protocols are being followed
• need investment of resources to develop SOPs
• develop farm specific SOPs in consultation with veterinarians
• standardize protocol requirements across the livestock sectors
QA for veterinarians • annual monitoring of dispensing of antibiotics
• improved surveillance / oversight on veterinary prescriptions and antibiotic use require reporting by veterinary clinics on antibiotic use
• standard of practice for prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics, decision cascades
• updated appropriate use guidelines are enforced
• enforce VCPR
• separate prescribing practises from drug sale profits
• decreased reliance on antibiotic sales for veterinary income
• restrict antibiotic rebate programs
• institute financial penalties for veterinarians for high antibiotic use
• mandatory annual continuing education CE required by CVO to renew license
• increased emphasis on prudent use and resistance in undergraduate curriculum
• provide ongoing professional development including current trends, implications of resistance, pharmacology, surveillance trends, sensitivity trends, SOPs, how to educate producers, appropriate drug choice, length of use, protocol development, dosage, withdrawal periods, establishing a VCPR
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