56 Guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobials and their implications on antibiotic usage in veterinary medicine (Research paper; Ungemach, 2006)

Significant Impact Group(s): Prudent use AB \ Veterinarian
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Reduced AMU
Summary: To reduce antimicrobial use (AMU) and minimize the development of resistance, compulsory guidelines for responsible use were published in Germany in 2000. Key elements of the guidelines are the use of antibiotics on the basis of an exact diagnosis, choosing a product with a narrow spectrum of activity, high safety margin and good tissue penetration, avoidance of critically important antibiotics, and adherence to the datasheet (no underdosing or prolonged dosing). Any deviations from the guidelines must be justified and recorded. Monitoring of AMU as medicated feed in pig production indicated a change in prescribing after guideline introduction. AMU declined from 4255 kg before the guidelines to 1145 kg by 2002, resulting in a reduction in the treatment days/animal from 31.6 to 13.6 days. The use of chlortetracycline decreased from 76% of the total antibiotics prescribed to 14.7% at the end of the study. These results suggest the responsible AMU guidelines have been an important tool to reduce AMU.
56 Research paper – Ungemach – 2006 – Guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobials and their implications on antibiotic usage in veterinary medicine
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438422106000634; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmm.2006.01.059
Country: DE

56 Research paper – Ungemach – 2006 – Guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobials and their implications on antibiotic usage in veterinary medicine