INFORM: Veterinary Feed Directive Module - Now Available

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) is announcing the availability of a new training, Module 29 Veterinary Feed Directive. NVAP worked with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine and Iowa State’s Center for Food Security and Public Health to create this training. 

Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:

• Describe the need for antibiotic stewardship in regard to antibiotic resistance;
• Understand the FDA's regulatory oversight of animal drugs;
• Describe the Federally-defined key elements of a lawful veterinarian-client-patient relationship;
• Recognize the classes and uses of antibiotics requiring a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD);
• Describe the components of a complete VFD;
• Understand the recordkeeping requirements associated with a VFD;
• Apply expiration date and duration of use guidelines to a VFD; and
• Locate additional resources related to VFDs.

In 2011, NVAP launched online, classroom, and hard-copy versions of APHIS Approved Supplemental Training modules which are required for veterinarians to renew their accreditation every three years.  The audience for these modules, however, has proven to be much larger, including non-accredited veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students from all over the world.

In December 2013, the FDA took a significant step in addressing antimicrobial resistance by publishing Guidance #213, which calls on animal drug sponsors of approved medically important antimicrobials administered through medicated feed or water to remove from their product labels indications for use related to growth promotion, and to bring the remaining therapeutic uses of these products under the oversight of a veterinarian by the end of December 2016. All of the affected drug sponsors notified the FDA of their intent to make the recommended changes to their products within the established timeframe.

By January 1, 2017, the FDA expects all drug sponsors will complete the necessary label changes of their affected products and then changes in drug use practices will begin. The marketing status of affected drugs will change from over-the-counter to Rx status for drugs administered through drinking water or to VFD for drugs administered in medicated feeds. Distributors or retail establishments that handle these products will be required to meet all applicable State and Federal regulations for Rx and VFD drugs when dispensing these products.

The module, which is free of charge and does not require a user name or password, is available here:  Veterinary Feed Directive.

 

 

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