... Antibiotic-free poultry production: Is it sustainable on a large scale?
Feb 13, 2018PHT Editor
Phil Stayer, DVM, head veterinarian at Sanderson Farms, is worried about what he calls an "anti-technology movement" directed at the US poultry industry, particularly as it relates to veterinary care...
... VFD compliance: FDA’s animal-feed director says agency’s focus is on education, not penalties, during first year
Apr 24, 2017PHT Editor
Compliance with the updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule is expected to continually improve as stakeholders become more educated with the process, according to David Edwards, PhD, director of...
... Want the recipe for a VFD? Here are 14 key ingredients
Mar 03, 2017PHT Editor
Issuing a veterinary feed directive (VFD) involves more than just completing a form and sending it to the producer and feed mill. Veterinarians need to have 14 key ingredients on hand to include in...
... Documenting diagnoses: What are FDA’s expectations for VFD medications?
Feb 23, 2017PHT Editor
The updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule does not specifically define how veterinarians writing VFDs must document their clinical diagnoses, according to an FDA veterinarian.
... Producers eye vaccines, sanitation, biosecurity following new VFD rules
Feb 23, 2017PHT Editor
Increased use of vaccines and better sanitation and biosecurity are the two most common changes livestock and poultry producers are making in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics imposed by...
... You’ve got mail: Know the differences between VFD distributor, acknowledgement letters
Feb 15, 2017PHT Editor
Notification and acknowledgement letters are required by the updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulation effective January 1, 2017. If you’re confused about who has to send what to whom,...
... How often do poultry vets need to visit farms to meet new VFD criteria?
Feb 05, 2017PHT Editor
Part 8 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... VFD requirements for feed mills: Not as simple as A, B, C
Feb 01, 2017PHT Editor
Part 4 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Accessibility is key when storing VFDs at integrated companies
Jan 31, 2017PHT Editor
The best place for integrated companies to store veterinary feed directives (VFDs) should depend on whether they’re keeping hard or electronic copies.
... The inspector’s here: What to expect from a VFD audit
Jan 30, 2017PHT Editor
Part 5 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Interpreting the language of the new VFD rule
Jan 25, 2017PHT Editor
In a candid 90-minute interview, William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, clarified some hazy points of the new veterinary feed...
... FDA defers to vet’s ‘clinical judgement’ to link health problems to VFD product’s indications
Jan 24, 2017PHT Editor
FDA will defer to the expertise of veterinarians to diagnose health conditions requiring veterinary feed directive (VFD) medications, but the agency still expects usage to comply with the product...
... Producer response to loss of antibiotics assessed in survey
Jan 24, 2017PHT Editor
Increased use of vaccines and better sanitation and biosecurity are the two most common changes livestock and poultry producers are making in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics imposed by...
... USDA/APHIS launches VFD training module for health professionals
Jan 20, 2017PHT Editor
USDA/APHIS has introduced a new training module to help veterinarians and other health professionals get up to speed on the new veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules.
... It’s official: FDA implements GFI #213, paving way for new VFD rules
Jan 09, 2017PHT Editor
After years of planning, FDA said it has completed implementation of what it calls Guidance for Industry #213 — a process that requires antimicrobials with importance in human medicine to be used...
... Get to know the ins and outs of the new veterinary feed directive
Jan 06, 2017PHT Editor
In an exclusive interview, William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, clarified some hazy points of the new veterinary feed directive...
... FDA vet offers guidelines for managing VFDs in integrated poultry operations
Jan 06, 2017PHT Editor
Part 6 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Drugs transitioning from OTC to VFD status
Jan 05, 2017PHT Editor
A list of over-the-counter drugs that will require a VFD as of January 1, 2017 is provided in this document.
... Location, location, location: How FDA defines ‘premises’
Jan 05, 2017PHT Editor
When issuing a veterinary feed directive (VFD), poultry veterinarians are expected to provide the physical location of birds receiving the VFD drug.
... FDA vet offers guidance for syncing indications of mature VFD medications to today’s health problems
Jan 03, 2017PHT Editor
Part 3 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Laboratory vs. clinical diagnosis: Which is needed for a VFD?
Dec 22, 2016PHT Editor
Part 2 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect Jan. 1, 2017.
... Making the transition: Tips for managing medicated feed through the Jan. 1 VFD deadline
Dec 21, 2016PHT Editor
Part 1 of an exclusive interview with William Flynn, DVM, MS, deputy director for science and policy for FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, on the new VFD that took effect January 1, 2017.
... Q&A: Tips for complying with the updated VFD rule
Dec 16, 2016PHT Editor
VFD News Center Q&A is a series of interviews about the updated Veterinary Feed Directive.
... Opinion: VFDs — More work, same result?
Dec 14, 2016PHT Editor
by Philip A. Stayer, DVM,
Corporate Veterinarian,
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
... Less than 30 days and counting before new VFD rules take effect
Dec 01, 2016PHT Editor
Veterinarians, feed mills and poultry producers are into the final stretch and now have less than 30 days to prepare for the new veterinary feed directive rules that take effect January 1, 2017.
... Sneak peek: Case history of an FDA VFD inspection
Nov 10, 2016PHT Editor
Random FDA inspections to ensure compliance with the updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule are understandably causing some trepidation throughout the poultry industry. Fortunately, the...
... Straight talk with FDA about the VFD in poultry
Nov 07, 2016PHT Editor
Dan McChesney, PhD, director of surveillance and compliance for FDA’s Center of Veterinary Medicine, recently visited with Poultry Health Today to talk about the new VFD regulations and their...
... Veterinarians can test drive VFD process by issuing a ‘VFR’
Oct 30, 2016PHT Editor
Looking to get some practice writing veterinary feed directives (VFD) before the new rules kick in January 1?
... FDA lists two principles for “judicious” antimicrobial use
Oct 04, 2016PHT Editor
FDA strongly acknowledges that effective antimicrobials are critically important for combating infectious disease in both humans and animals.
... Guidance for Industry #233: Veterinary Feed Directive Common Format Questions and Answers
Sep 26, 2016PHT Editor
This 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.
... Want to use a VFD medication in a combination? Better check with your vet first
Sep 22, 2016PHT Editor
Some poultry medications requiring a veterinary feed directive (VFD) are indicated for use alone while others are approved for use in combination with over-the-counter (OTC) medications that don’t...
... Updated VFD rule may help producers save money
Sep 12, 2016PHT Editor
The updated veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule that takes effect in January 2017 does not require veterinarians to indicate the amount of feed that needs to be manufactured — a decision made by...
... Electronic systems expected to simply VFD process
Aug 02, 2016PHT Editor
Electronic systems will make it easy for veterinarians to provide veterinary feed directives in compliance with the updated VFD rule that takes full effect in January 2017, say developers of the...
... How FDA will measure success of new VFD rule
Jun 14, 2016PHT Editor
FDA has target dates in place for finalizing its data-collection plan and for determining whether efforts to promote the “judicious use” of antibiotics in food animals is having an impact on...
... New FDA guidelines: Rating an animal antibiotic’s importance to humans
May 25, 2016wpengine
The new industry guidelines issued by the US Food and Drug Administration in December suggest removing performance claims from food-animal antimicrobials deemed “medically important” to humans...
... Vet’s license information not required on VFDs
May 19, 2016PHT Editor
Although veterinary feed directives (VFDs) must be issued by licensed veterinarians, these practitioners are not required to include their license number or issuing state on the VFD form, FDA says in...
... New VFD rule actually requires minimal review time, FDA says
May 19, 2016PHT Editor
This may be hard to believe given the voluminous government documents and trade journal publicity it’s generated, but FDA predicts its new veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule should actually...
... Four steps poultry companies should take now to prepare for new VFD regulations
May 03, 2016PHT Editor
Poultry producers should be taking steps now to prepare for the new veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulations that kick in January 2017.
... Editorial – Judicious antibiotic use: How should the poultry industry be judged?
Apr 27, 2016PHT Editor
Beginning in January 2017, FDA will require veterinarians to issue a veterinary feed directive, or VFD, for any medically important antibiotics administered through poultry or livestock feed.
... Responsible use of antibiotics: Understanding the veterinary feed directive
Apr 26, 2016PHT Editor
Informative webinar explains the VFD and the responsibilities of veterinarians, feed mills and producers.
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Distributor Requirements 2015
Apr 25, 2016PHT Editor
Information, requirements and responsibilities for distributors of feeds containing VFD drugs.
... FDA Fact Sheet: Veterinary Feed Directive final rule and next steps
Apr 22, 2016PHT Editor
The VFD final rule outlines the process for authorizing use of VFD drugs (animal drugs intended for use in or on animal feed that require the supervision of a licensed veterinarian) and provides...
... Letters of the law: VFD, Rx and OTC
Apr 22, 2016PHT Editor
Who decides which medications will require a veterinary feed directive (VFD), prescription (Rx) or be available over the counter (OTC)?
... Preparing for the VFD: Challenges at the feed mill
Apr 13, 2016PHT Editor
In light of the impending FDA's veterinary feed directive, Richard Sellers of the American Feed Industry Association talked to Poultry Health Today about the challenges poultry feed mills can expect...
... Changes ahead: Everything you need to know about the new guidelines for oral antimicrobials
Apr 04, 2016PHT Editor
Special supplement take an in-depth look at what FDA calls Guidance for Industry No. 213 — the rationale behind it and the changes in store for the US poultry industry.
... Give agriculture the ‘steering wheel’ for data collection
Mar 30, 2016PHT Editor
Increased veterinary supervision of antimicrobials in food-producing animals is coming about despite the absence of important scientific and ethical insights, according to a Kansas State University...
... VCPR: Should poultry vets follow state or federal guidelines when issuing VFDs?
Mar 28, 2016PHT Editor
Under the VFD rule, licensed veterinarians issuing VFDs will be expected to operate in compliance with either their state-defined veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) or the federally...
... Veterinary Feed Directive, Final Rule
Mar 24, 2016PHT Editor
Amendment to FDA's animal drug regulations regarding VFD drugs, which is intended to improve the efficiency of the VFD program while protecting human and animal health.
... Medically Important Antimicrobials in Animal Agriculture
Mar 10, 2016PHT Editor
Slide presentation from FDA looks at guidelines for judicious use and which drugs are affected by the VFD.
... Veterinary Feed Directive Q&A
Mar 10, 2016PHT Editor
Q&A covers questions submitted during a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) webinar sponsored by Zoetis.
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Plan for a Successful Transition
Mar 08, 2016PHT Editor
Information highlighting the requirements of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) and how Zoetis is working with the FDA, veterinary associations and the feed industry to help streamline the...
... Guidance for Industry No 120
Mar 08, 2016PHT Editor
Small entity compliance guide, and questions and answers regarding veterinary feed directive regulations.
... Guidance for Industry No 233
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Common questions and answers regarding veterinary feed directive regulations.
... Guidance for Industry No 209
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Recommendations for the judicious use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals.
... Guidance for Industry No 152
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Recommendations for assessing the safety of antimicrobial new animal drugs with regard to their microbiological effects on bacteria of human health concern.
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Requirements for Veterinarians 2015
Mar 07, 2016PHT Editor
Information, requirements and responsibilities for licensed veterinarians who issue VFD drugs.
... Veterinary Feed Directive: Producer Requirements 2015
Feb 18, 2016PHT Editor
Requirements for producers involved in the distribution or use of medicated feed containing a Veterinary Feed Directive drug.
... Webinar to examine new VFD rules for poultry, livestock
Jun 09, 2015PHT Editor
An interactive webinar to help the poultry and livestock industries understand the FDA’s new rules for the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) has been set for Wednesday, June 17, at 2 pm EDT.
... FDA issues rule requiring veterinary supervision of medically important antimicrobials
Jun 02, 2015PHT Editor
The US Food and Drug Administration announced today its final rule for the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) — a move that is said to be “an important piece of the agency’s overall strategy to...
... FDA reports positive trends in antimicrobial resistance
Oct 10, 2014PHT Editor
The annual NARMS Executive Report focuses on resistance to antibiotics that are considered important in human medicine as well as multidrug resistance (described as resistance to three or more...
... New FDA antibiotic guidelines: What’s a VFD?
Jul 04, 2014wpengine
The phrase Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) may be new to poultry veterinarians and producers, but the process has actually been around since 1996, when Congress passed the Animal Drug Availability...
... Guidance for Industry No 213
Jan 05, 2014wpengine
Provides recommendations and voluntary timelines to voluntarily implement the judicious use of antibiotics in ways that address public health concerns while maintaining the health, performance and...
