engleski

Unauthorised usage of veterinary drugs as a potential risk to human and animal health

Sustainable rearing of food producing animals, in the developed world , depends a great deal on the use of veterinary medicines - pharmacologically active compounds. Their usage is fundamental to achieving a desirable level of animal and public health protection. This is particularly necessary in highly industrialized animal production systems. In addition, their use may be required to achieve acceptable welfare standards.. It is important, therefore, that administration of veterinary prescription drugs (VPDs) is under the supervision and control of veterinarians. Veterinarians’ role is also to raise awareness and educate farmers in the responsible use of veterinary drugs.. Four randomly chosen agricultural stores in the east of Croatia were questioned as to whether they had sold . the VPDs without prescriptions before the new law came in force (30 March 2007). The results showed that 15 different VPDs could have been purchased occasionally by farmers without veterinary prescription. These drugs may have not been administered appropriately to animals, which may result in short and long term effects on animals and humans. Products of animal origin ( POAO) may contain residues above maximaum residue limit (MRL) with a potential of developing antimicrobial resistance, therefore the risk to animal and human health may have been increased. In order to reduce such risks, and at the same time to enable, farmers to use the VPDs responsibly Croatia has recently enhanced the legislation in the field of food safety and veterinary medicine. Under this legal framework there is a requirement to implement the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). This paper investigates the possible harmful effects of unauthorized usage of VPDs on human and animal health and the possibilities to enhance control and supervision of their purchase and usage.

veterinary medicine ; drugs ; unauthorized use ; health risk

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