Article

Citing Drug Resistance, U.S. Restricts More Antibiotics for Livestock

The debate over the drug use in food animals continues as federal regulators tackle the issues of drug-resistance and shorter supplies.

January 4, 2012

Publication: The New York Times

Author: Gardiner Harris

WASHINGTON -- Federal drug regulators announced on Wednesday that farmers and ranchers must restrict their use of a critical class of antibiotics in cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys because such practices may have contributed to the growing threat in people of bacterial infections that are resistant to treatment.
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The medicines are known as cephalosporins and include brands like Cefzil and Keflex. They are among the most common antibiotics prescribed to treat pneumonia, strep throat, and skin and urinary tract infections. Surgeons also often use them before surgery, and they are particularly popular among pediatricians.

The drugs' use in agriculture has, according to many microbiologists, led to the development of bacteria that are resistant to their effects, a development that many doctors say has cost thousands of lives.

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Read the full article Citing Drug Resistance, U.S. Restricts More Antibiotics for Livestock on The New York Times Web site.