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  • The risk that disease-causing agents will develop resistance to antimicrobials increases whenever these precious medicines are used inappropriately. Once bacteria are resistant, the antimicrobial is ineffective and can no longer treat the disease. This phenomenon is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
  • AMR is a threat to the health and welfare of humans and animals, whether aquatic or terrestrial. However, the development of new antimicrobials has not kept pace with the increase of resistance to existing antimicrobials.
  • Continued availability and efficacy of existing antimicrobial classes are essential. Handling these invaluable medicines responsibly and prudently according to intergovernmental OIE Standards, will help maintain their efficacy, marketing authorisation, and availability for both human and animal health.

 

We all have a role to play, and YOU,
as part of antimicrobial DISTRIBUTORS, CAN HELP

 

  • Together, we need to ensure the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials in animals to preserve their availability and efficacy, and thus preserve human and animal health and welfare.
  •  Tackling pathogen resistance to antimicrobials is a priority objective of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Through its international Standards, the OIE advocates for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents – essential to human and animal health and welfare – by all animal health actors, including wholesale and retail distributors.

 

Wholesale and retail distributors:
You are the Sentinel

 

  • Because distributing drugs such as antibiotics comes with responsibilities, you should be aware of the importance of preserving the efficacy and availability of antimicrobials. You must be informed of the importance of distributing only high quality antimicrobials and always on a veterinary prescription.
  • Responsible and prudent use includes implementing practical measures and recommendations aimed at the improvement of animal health and animal welfare, while preventing or reducing the selection, emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Antimicrobials marketing and distribution falls under your responsibility and control. Your leadership and influence is central to this fight, demonstrating your professionalism and commitment to the sector.

 

Wholesale and retail
distributors should:
  1. Only use approved sources of medicines.
  2. Manage veterinary antimicrobials in line with best storage and transport practices.
  3. Ensure antimicrobials are only distributed on the valid prescription of a veterinarian, including if relevant in the case of nationally regulated internet sales.
  4. Ensure all products are appropriately labelled. Provide clear and correct information on product use, expiry date and withdrawal period.
  5. Comply with the codes of advertising that are compatible with the principles of responsible and prudent use.
  6. Keep detailed records (supplier, prescriber, user, name of the product, batch number, quantity, shelf life) to allow traceability.
  7. Cooperate with the competent authorities and provide detailed sales data for the monitoring of antimicrobial use.
  8. Ensure all staff members are adequately qualified. Participate in and provide training on the appropriate storage, transport and disposal of antimicrobials.

 

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