FDA's OTC Antibiotic Ban: Implications for Backyard Chicken Keepers

Todays Episode

1. Limited availability: Backyard chicken keepers might find it more challenging to obtain antibiotics without a prescription. This change would mean they would need to consult a veterinarian to obtain antibiotics for their chickens.
2. Increased costs: Consulting a veterinarian and obtaining prescription antibiotics can be more expensive compared to purchasing OTC antibiotics. Backyard chicken keepers may need to allocate more of their budget to cover the cost of veterinary visits and prescription medications.
3. Importance of preventive measures: Without easy access to OTC antibiotics, backyard chicken keepers may need to focus more on preventive measures to maintain the health of their flock. This includes providing a clean and sanitary living environment, practicing good biosecurity measures, and implementing vaccination protocols.
4. Collaboration with veterinarians: The removal of OTC antibiotics may encourage backyard chicken keepers to establish a closer relationship with veterinarians who can provide guidance on flock health, disease prevention, and treatment options. Veterinarians can offer professional advice and prescribe appropriate medications when necessary.

It is important to note that these potential effects depend on specific regulations implemented by the FDA, which could vary over time. To obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information on this matter, I recommend consulting official sources such as the FDA, local agricultural extension offices, or poultry health professionals.

FDA List of banned OTC medications without a prescription is found here: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/antimicrobial-resistance/gfi-263-frequently-asked-questions-farmers-and-ranchers

Transcript

Melissa:
 According to the  FDA. gov on September 14th, 2018, the F D A unveiled a five-year action plan for supporting antimicrobial stewardship in veterinarian settings. This plan builds upon the important steps. The Center for Veterinarian Medicine has already taken to support the judicious use of antimicrobials in animals, and it is driven by the concept that the medically important antimicrobial drugs should only be used in animals when necessary for the treatment control or prevention of specific diseases.

One action item included in this plan is to ensure that any medically important antimicrobial, new animal drugs that continue to remain available as over-the-counter products are brought under the oversight of licensed veterinarians. Hey y'all. I'm Mel, and you are listening to Wilma, the Wonder Hand.

Are you a chicken mouth loving Mama, daddy. Together we'll dive into the latest poultry keeping Adventures Chat about everyday life. We're a generous mix of some hilarious stories

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The purpose of this guidance is to provide sponsors with specific recommendations on how to facilitate voluntary changes to the approved conditions of the use of these drugs to prescription marketing status. The voluntary process outlined in this guidance will help to ensure new animal drugs containing antimicrobials.

Of human importance are administered only under veterinarian oversight and only for therapeutic uses. That my friends is from the F D A. And that started back in 2018 G F I 2 63. That is what we're gonna talk about today. If you don't know what G F I means, it just means guidance for industry. G F I number 2 63 has a two year inflammation period that begins June 11th, 2021.

So this started two years ago to provide for a more predictable timeline for when revised. Prescription labels are expected to enter the market. We've asked that the affected drug companies make plans to ensure after June 11th, 2023, all new product entering distribution channels. Be labeled as prescription products.

The F D A intends to allow existing inventory of the over-the-counter label product that may already be in distribution channels to deplete. So that is what we're facing right now. We're facing the June 11th. They are going to remove all prescription antibiotics off the shelf. So now you're gonna have to go and find a veterinarian.

We know most of our listeners are just a small backyard chicken keepers. Uh, we do have some homestead people that also tune in. Now, that situation with their homestead, you know, if they have cattle, pigs, goats, Definitely gonna be affected in a huge way. Uh, today we're just gonna speak to those backyard chicken keepers that are kind of freaking out.

Uh, because of the fact that, uh, it's really hard to find a veterinarian who will see chickens, and this is what the FDA is doing. They are going to force you to find a veterinarian. So what do you do when you can't find a veterinarian that even sees chickens? So this is gonna be something pretty serious that we really need to pay attention to.

And to be fair, this really isn't something that's new. They started this June 11th, 2021. And we are just coming to that end date of June 11th, 2023. So we're just gonna try and maybe talk about it, see what we can do, see what we're gonna do, and give y'all some resources of what can, what can you do if you're not aware?

Over over-the-counter cells of specific antibiotics in the US will end June 11th, 2023. These medications will be available. But will require a vet prescription. Now, the f d A is saying that the intent to stop the antimicrobial resistance, that's the goal, is to stop the resistance, uh, to these drugs that are also used in humans.

Now, this isn't limited to, you know, animals that are used for food source. This is l. All of us are going to be affected, even with our companion animals. They want these resistance, you know, to stop so that it will eventually enter the food source. You know, those animals that are, are raised for feed, um, you know, they want to stop that, which, so they're gonna have to include all of our animals, including our companion animals.

Now this in other states, I think California and definitely other countries have already implemented this. They have removed, uh, antibiotics for off of the market and only can be attained by a veterinarian prescription. Now, there may be other states I just, I'm not aware of, just I know that California and some places over seas have completely stopped.

Now, I am concerned with this because of the fact that many people. Because, one, they can't find a veterinarian that will see backyard chickens. Uh, two, it is definitely more cost effective to go to a feed store, order online, these types of, uh, antibiotics and to treat your own flock. Uh, now you're gonna have to see a veterinarian.

Uh, you're gonna have to pay for the prescription, which is, you know, a lot of people are concerned with markup. Like, you know, you see human medications, they get marked up so high. And, you know, will that animal, uh, suffer? Yeah, I think it definitely will suffer, uh, to the point of even death, because now, uh, what do you do?

You, you could at least make the effort to try some type of antibiotic to help, uh, your bird, and now you don't really have that option. And so you're left with either, Really traveling far to find a veterinarian. Uh, and then how many cases are there gonna be of just euthanasia because you cannot treat, um, your animal the way it should be treated.

And then what about animal neglect? What's considered neglect? You know, they are putting us in a very tight position. So, you know, if you can't treat your animal, Is that considered neglect or, you know, there's just a lot of different aspects, ways to think of this and to look at it. And I've seen a lot of backyard chicken groups talking about just go out and buy everything they can find, you know?

Prior to this date, and I'm not gonna tell you what to do, obviously, but you definitely need to look at some of these antibiotics and see what their expiration dates are. And I also seen a lot of panic on different types of, you know, like vet spray and uh, warming medicine, those types of things. These things are not affected.

This is just for, uh, antibiotics. Now this also on the list, there is a huge list. Um, I will link in the show notes. You can go look at it. Uh, it does include the eye ointment. Uh, that is a antibiotic that will be pulled off the shelf as well. I'm not gonna go through the whole list, but I will link in the show notes.

Like I said, uh, the list of the drugs that are being, that are switching to prescription only. This will not affect, um, certain, um, osis medications, uh, dewormers, you know, things like that, that will not be, that is not on the list. So I know I've seen some misinformation being spread. Uh, definitely if you go read the F d A, the list is there.

I do strongly encourage you to contact a local veterinarian. You definitely have to have a, uh, patient to veterinarian relationship set in place, uh, to get these types of medications. Now, what is considered a veterinarian, uh, to client relationship is really gonna depend on your state, uh, how they define that.

Also, your veterinarian. They will have their own policies and procedures, but they definitely have to go by the fda. Now you can contact your state's veterinarian office. I think this is a place to go. To get a list of veterinarians in your area. Also ask around, ask people in your area, you know, where do you take your chickens?

You know, do you have a specific veterinarian that will not necessarily be an avian veterinarian, but will they, are they willing to see, you know, my chicken in, in need? And there was some talk of the medications, which we touched on a little bit about the, uh, You know the upcharge of it and definitely there is a markup in medications and it's not gonna be any different for eight year animals.

You didn't have to purchase these types of medications, you know, directly from your veterinarian. You can take that prescription and you can go online just like you can now you can. We buy some of our dog's medications online. We just have to have that prescription. Or you. Um, they will contact your veterinarian to verify that you have a prescription and you can go online to some of these different places, and you can get your medications cheaper than purchasing directly from your veterinarian.

Now, maybe not all of them. I, I don't know. It just will depend on what type of medication it is that you are obtaining from your veterinarian. And I have noticed, uh, some people discuss that, you know, they have gotten prescriptions for their animals. And you know, a friend called and they shared it with their friend and is definitely not something that we want to promote because it is illegal and is also illegal to use certain medications for without a veterinarian's approval, uh, for off-label.

Now, I know this sucks because. Nobody wants the government to tell them what to do. Okay. I'm right there with you. I want my freedom. I want to be able to do the things I need to do, uh, with my animals. But I really kind of see why this is happening and why it's going the way it is because so many people have just went and purchased, uh, these types of antibiotics in treating their backyard flock in.

They have no idea what they're treating. You could. Assess your bird and you could come up with five or 10 different things that could be wrong with it, you know, and without, without testing, without those types of things that a veterinarian's office has that we don't have access to. You kind of just throwing things around and this is where resistance.

Um, comes from, this is where it's getting to this point where we are having to go through a veterinarian to obtain these types of medications. Like I said, I, I, you know, I don't like to be told what to do. I understand that getting a veterinarian to see a chicken is really tough. So I kind of see both sides.

I definitely see this being a issue. Um, I see a lot of people trying to obtain medications that they, they shouldn't have because the real fear of resistance to these, uh, antibiotics in the human for us humans. You know, if we. Develop a resistance, then we are definitely in trouble. But I also feel, you know, I do feel compassion for those who are worried and scared of what to do.

And I know there are lots of places that are. Moving towards, you know, herbal types of medications or herbal types of medicinal purposes, which I'm not against anything natural. You know, if you can treat natural, that's great, but, uh, I don't know. I'm kind of concerned now. Uh, I see a lot of stuff online with people trying to treat illnesses in their verbs with herbs and it really not make a difference if you're not an herbalist, you know, you're just, herbs can be dangerous too.

Overdosing on herbs. You're, you're chickens can definitely overdose on certain types of herbs, so, I don't know. I'm getting a little worried about that too. I think that we definitely need to have, um, more education on the herbs first before we just start giving our chickens a bunch of concoctions. But like I said, I, I'm not gonna tell you what to do.

I'm just providing the information. This is the information from, uh, the FDA's website. You can definitely read up, uh, more on it, but I, I just wanted to put this information out there that it's not all. Types of medications that you get from the feed store. I don't like to say the word medication because, uh, some of these products are not necessarily medications.

You're, you're more of a support medications or support products to help with, uh, certain ailments in our chickens. But like I said, they're not, all of these products are. That are being said online are, are going to veterinarian. Are going to veterinarian. So do your own research and definitely read through the FDA's, um, 2 63, so you get more of an idea of what is going on, what you're facing, and start reaching out to people, local people, see if they have veterinarians.

Um, definitely time to be proactive because this is coming and it's coming very quickly. Now. You can send us an email at wilma the wonder hand.com, or you can send us a, a direct message on IG if you know. Things that, um, are on the list that I didn't notice, uh, that I misspoke on, I would definitely, uh, I'm okay to, uh, educating myself as well.

Now, if you're a rancher, a farmer, a big cattle farmer, uh, this is definitely, uh, my heart goes out to you. Uh, I think most of these farmers around here that I know of, they have a veterinarian relationship already. And if you have a prior relationship with your veterinarian, you know, you may not have to go into the office every time there is an illness.

Uh, possibly could just call and kind of go over what's going on with your veterinarian and then they could send in a prescription. I know that has happened here for us with some of my birds because of our avian veterinarian. We have a relationship with them and if. I feel like there's something going on.

Uh, we can discuss it over the phone and they will call a prescription in. So that's where that client and veterinarian relationship will be so important and crucial for the longevity of our flock. So I just think we need to one, reach out to our local. Veterinarians, even if they do not see chickens, let them know.

Obviously they know of the bill that's coming out, the bill that will be, um, implemented of this year, next month. Let them know that you know your concerns. Uh, maybe they will see you, your chicken. I mean, just because they're not an avian veterinarian doesn't mean that they can't learn right alongside of us.

Uh, reach out to your neighbor. Uh, reach out to people online. Um, social media is a great place to ask, ask around for who sees their chickens in your region, your area, possibly make a post online asking for veterinarian references. These are things that, I mean, it is just, it is what it is. I wish it wasn't this way, but I kind of understand.

So. Now we just have to move forward. Now we have to dig our heels in and figure out what we're gonna do, because giving up is not an option. Uh, being angry really isn't going to make any difference. I. I'd love to hear your take on this. You can send us a message or email us at wilma the wonder hand.com.

Until next time, bye y'all. I'm Mel, and you are listening to Wilma The Wonder.