CVMA Begins Process to Update Guidelines for the Prudent Use of Veterinary Antimicrobial Medications
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has begun initial steps to develop a tool set that will provide veterinarians with guidelines to support the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial medications in animals. A planning workshop took place in Ottawa, Ontario, from May 9 to 10, 2017.
| “The veterinary community has a professional responsibility to support Canada’s overarching strategy on antimicrobial resistance and use, and to adopt a multidimensional approach towards antimicrobial stewardship,” says Dr. Troy Bourque, CVMA President. “We are excited to embark on this project to meet veterinary needs for critical information, oversight, and decision support related to prudent antimicrobial use (AMU) in animals.” |
Participating in the workshop are Canadian veterinarians, veterinary researchers and educators, government officials, and species-group stakeholders working in the areas of swine, poultry, beef, dairy, small ruminants, and companion animals. They are collaborating to identify AMU stewardship issues of concern, anticipate content and format needs for veterinary practitioners, address information gaps, and discuss ways to communicate and engage with the new tool set.
The overall goal of the project is to develop guidelines for prudent AMU across six species groups and pilot a prototype tool set to assess effectiveness and guide future improvements.
| "Ultimately, we want to promote enhanced antimicrobial stewardship to slow or limit the rising trend of antimicrobial resistance (AMR),” says Dr. Phil Buote, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group involved in the project and Deputy Registrar for the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. “Providing these guidelines and tools to veterinarians will influence prescribing behaviours and enhance communication with producers and industry on the science-based rationale for antimicrobial use. The goal is to promote stewardship and maintain access to effective, medically important antimicrobials.” |
The CVMA is building on its past achievements, including Antimicrobial Prudent Use Guidelines for Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Poultry, and Swine (2008), as well as small animal guidelines through the Antimicrobial SmartVet application for urinary tract infections.
Funding for the project is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the AgriMarketing Program, supplemented with in-kind contributions from partners including the CVMA and Canadian veterinarians.
About the CVMA
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is the national and international voice for Canada’s veterinarians, providing leadership and advocacy for veterinary medicine.
Visit canadianveterinarians.net to learn more about CVMA.
Contact
Tanya Frye, Communications Manager
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Phone: 613.236.1162 ext. 128
Email: tfrye@cvma-acmv.org
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