Editorial

FDA curbs use of certain antibiotics in animals

January 6, 2012

Publication: The Chicago Tribune

Author: Monica Eng

After long delays, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an order today prohibiting  certain uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys.

This may sound like yawnsville to some but it's a big deal to thousands who've become increasingly concerned about the waning effectiveness of antibiotics on human disease because of overuse in animals.Among them are the scientists at the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming.

“We applaud FDA’s move,” said Laura Rogers, the campaign's project director today in a statment. “This restriction is a victory for human health, as it will help ensure we can still rely on cephalosporins to treat life-threatening infections today and in the future.”

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Read the full article FDA curbs use of certain antibiotics in animals on The Chicago Tribune Web site.