True/False: It is illegal to prescribe antibiotics in feed off-label.

True/False: It is illegal to prescribe antibiotics in feed off-label.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not specified
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (B)

Regulatory controls around medicated feeds are the key idea. In the United States, antibiotics in animal feed are used only under a Veterinary Feed Directive. A veterinarian must issue a VFD that specifies the drug, the species, the indication, the dose, the duration, and other conditions, and the feed mill must follow that directive. Using an antibiotic in feed in a way not covered by the VFD (off-label in feed) is not legally permitted. Extra-label drug use under AMDUCA applies to drugs used outside feed routes for individual animals, not to medicated feeds, so it cannot justify off-label use in feed. This framework exists to protect animal health, public health, and promote responsible antibiotic use. So the statement is true.

Regulatory controls around medicated feeds are the key idea. In the United States, antibiotics in animal feed are used only under a Veterinary Feed Directive. A veterinarian must issue a VFD that specifies the drug, the species, the indication, the dose, the duration, and other conditions, and the feed mill must follow that directive. Using an antibiotic in feed in a way not covered by the VFD (off-label in feed) is not legally permitted. Extra-label drug use under AMDUCA applies to drugs used outside feed routes for individual animals, not to medicated feeds, so it cannot justify off-label use in feed. This framework exists to protect animal health, public health, and promote responsible antibiotic use. So the statement is true.