OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS GOES PRESCRIPTION ONLY IN JUNE 2023

Livestock raisers have a major challenge on their hands when June 12, 2023 arrives.   That is the date that the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes the status of most over-the-counter livestock products to PRESCRIPTION ONLY.  The  order is designated FDA guidance for industry #263.

The stated purpose is to control "antimicrobials" but  antibiotics seem to be  the target.   The is a World Healh Organization initiative that claims to prevent  over-use/ improper use of antibiotics to keep  resistant  bacteria from making these medications ineffective in humans.

This "guidance," which is  a non-challengeable regulation, applies to all food animals, including all ruminants (goats, sheep, cattle), hogs, and poultry.  It further applies to animals animals "not intended for food," i.e. pet rabbits, backyard chickens, and horses.

You may have noticed that items like penicillin have been  impossible to purchase over the last 18 to 24 months.  That is because the supply chain has been purposefully dried up for OTC sales as the prescription supply chain through veterinarians  is being stocked.

Injectables, like penicillin, oxytetracyline (LA 200), terramycin, sulfa drugs, boluses, intramammary mastitis tubes, and  many topical products will be prescription only.   Some items like penicillin may  be available as  Polyflex, which is   ampicillin.    Nobody, including vets, will know the full extent of these changes until they occur.  Most of these items have long been available at your co-op or farm store or from online suppliers like Jeffers (1 800 533 3377).

Excluded at this time are some  antiparasiticides, vaccines, oral and injectable nutrition supplements, amd topical non-antibiotic products. These types of products should remain available without prescription now.  Who knows if they will be put on the list soon?

NOW IS THE TIME TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH A VET IF YOU EXPECT TO BE ABLE  TO BUY MEDICATIONS NEEDED TO CARE FOR YOUR GOATS AND OTHER LIVESTOCK.

If you develop a relationship with a vet, even if  he  isn't a "goat" vet, and pay for a farm call,  you should be able to purchase in advance the needed medications to have on hand when illnesses occur, thereby eliminating emergency calls and added costs.  You are going to have to plan ahead and have products on hand, or your goats might  die.

The FDA says nothing will change, but I believe we are looking at higher prices for everything.   Human food will  definitely cost more to purchase because it will cost more to produce.   Prescriptions are more costly than over-the-counter products.   This is likely not the last time items will become available by prescription only.

So prepare NOW.  Develop a relationship with a licensed veterinarian NOW so your goats and other animals do not suffer.

Suzanne W. Gasparotto, ONION CREEK RANCH, Texas   1.7.23

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

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