• Urge restrained use of antibiotics in animal husbandry

The Veterinary Drug Control Authority (VDCA) yesterday warned that unrestricted use of antibiotics in animal husbandry may eventually cause adverse consequences for humans, including increasing antibiotic resistance in the population.

During a recent meeting between Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and the VDCA officials, it was revealed that the use of antibiotics in the animal husbandry industry, particularly for cattle, chicken, and pigs are at a very high level. The relevant officials pointed out that there is a tendency of antibiotics entering the human body through meat and milk consumption as most types of antibiotics given to animals are also those given to humans. When antibiotics enter the human body through meat and milk consumption, the relevant officials stated that it will result in the condition called “antibiotic resistance” (antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them), which will increase the possibility for humans to fall ill. Considering the matter, the VDCA officials emphasised that steps need to be taken to limit the use of antibiotics for animals.

Taking into account the explanations made by the VDCA, Amaraweera has instructed the relevant officials to prepare a report on the actions that can be taken to limit the use of antibiotics for animals, and to submit it to the Agriculture Ministry.

Moreover, the import of certain veterinary medicines and sanitary material at huge costs, despite the possibility for such to be produced locally, was discussed during the meeting. The officials of the Department of Animal Production and Health, who attended the meeting, stated that 5% of the medicines and sanitary materials used for animals in the country are produced locally, and that the remaining 95% are imported. It was also revealed that the cost of importing such commodities in 2022 was Rs. 4 billion. It was revealed that there are about 30 factories that can be used to produce such commodities, and Amaraweera instructed the relevant officials to discuss with the said factory owners and to commence the production activities as soon as possible. Amaraweera also instructed the VDCA to look into the prices of veterinary drugs and sanitary items in the market, and to prepare a programme to ensure their quality standards.

Meanwhile, the State Ministry of the Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals had launched an awareness programme for doctors on the rational use of antibiotics and pain management drugs in 2022. The then State Ministry Secretary, Dr. S.K. Rathnayake said that various antibiotics were being prescribed unnecessarily to patients by doctors. Therefore, he said that it was decided to launch an awareness programme for doctors on how to prescribe such drugs in a rational manner.