摘要：In the US, antimicrobials used in animals for both therapeutic and growth promotion purposes are considered animals drugs. Antimicrobial drugs are used in animals to treat and prevent disease, and to increase production. Before any animal drug can be legally marketed in the US, the drug’s sponsor must have a New Animal Drug Application (NADA) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Within FDA, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is responsible for determining when an animal drug is effective and safe for the animal, the environment and can be manufactured to uniform standards of purity, strength and identity. When the animal drug is intended for use in food-producing animals, the drug sponsor must also demonstrate that edible products from the treated animals are safe for consumers (1). While CVM is responsible for performing the safety assessment for animal drug residues, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety Inspection Service is responsible for testing the meat supply for microbiological contamination and animal drug residues. Both FDA and USDA have extensive programs to ensure that meat, milk and other animal products are safe and wholesome.
