Selling unapproved animal drugs can put both animals, and people, at high risk, and the FDA is trying to combat the issues, according to a new post on the FDA Voice blog.
"Just as drugs for people benefit from FDA review to ensure their safety, effectiveness and quality, so do drugs for animals," wrote Martine Hartogensis, D.V.M., Deputy Director, Office of Surveillance and Compliance at FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Among other things, FDA drug approval requires companies to produce scientific evidence that proves the drug's claims, makes sure of the drug's strength, ensures batch consistency and makes sure there is truth in the products labeling.
"Making innovative, FDA-approved animal medications legally marketable is an important part of FDA’s mission to protect the public health," she wrote.
As a result the FDA has been working to tackle these illegal drugs.
"Our enforcement actions could include seizures of violative products and/or injunctions against manufacturers and distributors of unapproved animal drugs," Hartogensis said. "We also continue to regularly update the agency’s web page on unapproved animal drugs with information for veterinarians and industry.
