CURRENT
SITUATION:
CHALLENGES
Currently, in Ontario, veterinarians, pharmacists and approved lay outlets can sell
antibiotics. Some antibiotics require a prescription and some are available OTC. There is
no oversight by a veterinarian for the purchase and use of these OTC drugs.
The Ontario government licenses Livestock Medicines Outlets (LMOs) to sell veterinary
antibiotics. LMOs include feed mills and other retail premises. Some of these products
can be ordered on-line and mailed to the farm. Non-prescription antimicrobials for
feed use are approved by Health Canada and listed in the Canadian Compendium of
Medicated Ingredients Brochure (MIB). Only drugs, drug combinations, species indicated
and level of inclusion that are specifically listed in the CMIB may be used in feed, unless
accompanied by a veterinary prescription. However, a drug that has only therapeutic
approval, and is not labeled for growth promotion, cannot be used as a growth promoter,
even with a veterinary prescription.
Health Canada has an OUI policy that allows for importation of a 90-day supply of humanuse drugs for personal use. This policy allows for the importation of some veterinary drugs
by animal owners, using a so-called “loophole” in the policy. To be specific, the policy
was originally intended to be applied to individuals (humans and animals), but has been
broadened to include importation of product for herds and flocks of animals owned by an
individual.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are bulk, pharmaceutically active substances
(chemicals) that are purchased as such from chemical suppliers and used in the
formulation of drugs in dosage form. APIs are intended for modification prior to use
by a licensed drug manufacturer, pharmacist or veterinary practitioner. It is noteworthy
that licensed drugs sold in Canada must meet Health Canada’s Good Manufacturing
Standards, while uses of APIs by veterinarians and pharmacists do not. The
representation of APIs as veterinary drugs in dosage form is illegal in Canada. The direct
administration of APIs carries risks to animal health, and in the case of food animals can
compromise food safety and pose risks to trade for food animal products.
Currently, in Ontario,
veterinarians, pharmacists and
approved lay outlets can sell
antibiotics. Some antibiotics
require a prescription and some
are available OTC. There is no
oversight by a veterinarian for the
purchase and use of these OTC
drugs.
CVO Survey respondents were questioned about the importance of various factors that
may impede prudent use of antibiotics. The majority of respondents reported that the OTC
sale of antibiotics through lay outlets was the most important factor impeding prudent
antibiotic use, followed by the OUI importation of antibiotics for “own use” by producers
and the importation and usage of APIs (Figure 8). In every species group, the OTC sale
of antibiotics through lay outlets and OUI imported antibiotics for “own use” by producers
were viewed as the factors most significantly impeding prudent use of antibiotics.
Proportion of Respondents (%)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
Impedes prudent use significantly
10
Impedes prudent use somewhat
ms
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0
Figure 8: Factors impeding prudent use of antibiotics (ABX=antibiotics)
Response to CVO Survey question: “Please rate the following factors as to their impact on the prudent use of antibiotics in food animal
production?”
33
Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Animals in Ontario: A Study of the Current Practises and Perceptions of Ontario Veterinarians