FDA issues final guidelines for VFD forms

FDA has issued final guidelines for veterinary feed directive (VFD) forms that veterinarians will issue when authorizing the use of a medicated feed additive containing an antibiotic deemed medically important.

Officially known as Guidance for Industry No. 233, the document provides examples that illustrate how a common VFD format might appear and how some of the information on the VFD may be pre-populated by an animal health company.

“By recommending a common format, the draft guidance is expected to help veterinarians, distributors (including feed mills), and animal producers quickly identify relevant information on a VFD order,” FDA said in a statement. “A common format is also expected to reduce the risk of a veterinarian making an error or leaving out required information when filling in the form.”

For a copy of the document, click here or visit the VFD News Center library.