Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) publishes new draft strategy on combating antimicrobial resistance
NewsVeterinary
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) at the European Medicines Agency has published for public consultation its CVMP draft strategy on antimicrobials 2011-2015 on combating the threat of antimicrobial resistance related to the use of veterinary medicine for the period 2011-2015. The strategy highlights the importance of keeping effective veterinary antimicrobials on the market while minimising risks to animals or humans arising from their use and emphasises the need for prudent use of antimicrobials. The strategy encourages both an EU-wide and global approach to combating antimicrobial resistance in order to reach the stated goals and objectives.
The public consultation is open until 31 March 2011. Comments received will be considered when preparing the final strategy for adoption by the CVMP.
The CVMP strategy complements the Community Animal Health Strategy which provides a framework for animal health and welfare measures until 2013.
Antimicrobials are medicines that kill or inactivate small disease-causing organisms, including bacteria. After being exposed to these medicines, microbes can undergo changes that stop them being killed or inactivated by the treatments. This is known as antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobials can also lead to antimicrobial resistance in animals. This can lead to infections that are difficult to treat. Resistance can also spread to humans through the food chain or direct contact.