Antibiotic misuse
Starting in 2012, there was publicly solicited input on how data is to be collected and reported for matters relating to the use of antimicrobials for food-producing animals.
Resulting from this, the FDA revised its sampling structure within NARMS with the goal of obtaining more representative livestock data for the key organisms under surveillance.
[2] "NARMS partners at CDC and USDA have published over 150 peer-reviewed research articles examining the nature and magnitude of antimicrobial resistance hazards associated with antibiotic use in food-producing animals."
In 2014, the FDA began working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to explore additional mechanisms to obtain data that is representative of antibiotic use in food-producing animals.
[3] The CDC also emphasized the need for evidence-based prescribing, a practice that focuses on the utilization of evidence and research to make informed medical decisions;[4] these sentiments were echoed by the American Dental Association (ADA) which works to provide detailed guidelines for dentists considering prescribing their patients antibiotics.
[7] In the United States, the CDC has published posters and other materials for the purpose of educating the public on antibiotic resistance.
[22] If antimicrobial resistance continues to increase from current levels, it is estimated that by 2050 ten million people would die every year due to lack of available treatment[23] and the world's GDP would be 2 – 3.5% lower in 2050.
[24] If the current worldwide development of antimicrobial resistance is delayed by just 10 years, $65 trillion of the world's GDP output can be saved from 2014 to 2050.
[30] Additionally, the use of antimicrobial substances in building materials and personal care products has contributed to a higher percentage of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the indoor environment, where humans spend a large majority of their lives.
[40] A study by Imperial College London in February 2017 found that of 20 online websites, 9 would provide antibiotics (illegally) without a prescription to UK residents.
The most abundant use of antimicrobials worldwide is in livestock; they are typically distributed in animal feed or water for purposes such as disease prevention and growth promotion.
[49] On 1 January 2017, the FDA enacted legislation to require that all human medically important feed-grade antibiotics (many prior over-the-counter-drugs) become classified as Veterinary Feed Directive drugs (VFD).
