GAIL ELLIS,

OSU AG. COMM. SERVICES

Beginning June 11, livestock owners must obtain a veterinarian’s prescription to purchase certain animal medications.

The new rule is a continuation of the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to ensure the judicious use of medically important antimicrobials.

In2017,theFDAimplemented the original Veterinary Feed Directive rule, converting about 96% of the antibiotics used in animal medicine to veterinary feed direction drugs or prescription drugs. The FDA promotes judicious use of medically important antibiotics. Judicious use means the application of antibiotics only for the treatment, prevention and control of disease under the guidance of a veterinarian.

The latest guidelines enforce a prescription requirement for over-thecounter drugs such as injectable penicillin, tetracycline, sulfur drugs, oral medications like neomycin, and intramammary tubes like those used to treat mastitis.

He is advising animal owners to take inventory of the medications they currently administer and consult with their veterinarians on what is needed for continued use after June 11.