Sales of Veterinary Antimicrobials Declining
UK - Statistics on the sales of veterinary therapeutic antimicrobials for 2005, and re-stated sales for 1999-2004, are published in a Government report today.
18 December 2006
1 minute read
The report, produced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, shows that total sales of therapeutic antimicrobials are approximately 20 tonnes less than previously published for the period 1999-2004. This follows the correction of reporting errors from some of the pharmaceutical companies that supply data. Data for 2005 are in line with the newly re-stated data.
Ben Bradshaw, Animal Health and Welfare Minister said:
“This report underlines the Government’s continuing commitment to full transparency on the use of therapeutic antimicrobials in animals in the UK. It shows our determination to ensure that data are recorded as accurately as possible. The UK remains one of only a few countries worldwide that publishes this type of data.”
“We will continue to work with the veterinary profession and the farming industry to ensure that antimicrobials are used responsibly in animals.”
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in human medicine has led to increasing concern about the use of antimicrobials in medicine, veterinary medicine, animal production, agriculture and horticulture. In March 1999 the Government announced the development of a strategy aimed at reducing veterinary use of antimicrobials.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has been collating information on sales of antibiotics and other antimicrobial products used as veterinary medicines or growth promoters. The figures are now reported annually. The report published today details sales for 2005.
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