OT: FDA Set to Approve Cow Drug, Despite Warnings

[Guest guest]

This is just an example of what I was trying to say in an earlier

post. Again, follow the money and the heck with health risks to

humans.

KC

FDA Set to Approve Cow Drug, Despite Warnings

Health groups and a majority of the agency's own experts say

decision would likely speed emergence of resistant microbes

dangerous to humans.

" The American Medical Association and about a dozen other health

groups warned the Food and Drug Administration that giving

cefquinome to animals would probably speed the emergence of microbes

resistant to that important class of antibiotics, as has happened

with other drugs. Those super-microbes could then spread to people. "

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-

dyn/content/article/2007/03/03/AR2007030301311.html

FDA Rules Override Warnings About Drug

Cattle Antibiotic Moves Forward Despite Fears of Human Risk

By Rick Weiss

Washington Post Staff Writer

Sunday, March 4, 2007; A01

The government is on track to approve a new antibiotic to treat a

pneumonia-like disease in cattle, despite warnings from health

groups and a majority of the agency's own expert advisers that the

decision will be dangerous for people.

The drug, called cefquinome, belongs to a class of highly potent

antibiotics that are among medicine's last defenses against several

serious human infections. No drug from that class has been approved

in the United States for use in animals.

The American Medical Association and about a dozen other health

groups warned the Food and Drug Administration that giving

cefquinome to animals would probably speed the emergence of microbes

resistant to that important class of antibiotics, as has happened

with other drugs. Those super-microbes could then spread to people.

Echoing those concerns, the FDA's advisory board last fall voted to

reject the request by InterVet Inc. of Millsboro, Del., to market

the drug for cattle.

Yet by all indications, the FDA will approve cefquinome this spring.

That outcome is all but required, officials said, by a recently

implemented " guidance document " that codifies how to weigh the

threats to human health posed by proposed new animal

drugs. ...........................

Wallinga, MD, MPA

Director, Food and Health Program

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

2105 First Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55404

dwallinga@...

612-870-3418

www.iatp.org/foodandhealth