The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned the use of Antibiotics as growth promoter in Livestock production.
Instead, the Agency has said alternative growth promoters such as organic acid, enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics which are cheaper and available for livestock production could be used.
This directive, as disclosed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, is aimed at discouraging the use of antibiotics at sub-leather dose which is a very effective means of encouraging Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by non-beneficial microbes.
Adeyeye who made this known in her remarks to declare the Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), open in Lagos on Friday, said this is part of series of actions the Agency has taken within the ambit of their mandate to curb AMR. Which she said has advanced from being a “ Silent Pandemic” to a problem that is impacting lives negatively.
Speaking on the occasion, she said, “NAFDAC, in her regulatory activities, have identified the danger posed by AMR and have taken due diligence to identify the likely causes which range from the effect of substandard and falsified products (SF), to abuse, misuse and irresponsible handling of microbial agents. The Agency, leveraging on her mandate as stated in NAFDAC Act Cap N1, LFN 2004, therefore developed the following regulatory mechanism to combat AMR.
“Review of the formulation of antibiotics: The Agency directed that all antibiotics formulations should not have more than two APIs. This directive is aimed at curbing the excessive use of antibiotics which may lead to the development of resistance.
“Ban on the use of Colistin as coccidiostat (prophylaxis) in poultry and swine production: Hitherto, colistin is used as technical additives in poultry and swine feed. However, upon the re-classification by WHO, colistin is presently considered a last line of defence against human infection caused by multidrug resistant gram-negative organism.”
She said a ban has also been placed on the use of antibiotics as mould inhibitor In combating the growth of mould on animal feed and feedstuff, nutritionist use antibiotics to prevent mould growth thereby preventing the formation of toxins, saying the use of organic acid for this purpose is more effective and efficient.
According to Adeyeye, “AMR is no longer a distant threat; it is already impacting our lives,” as infections once easily treated with antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals are now becoming increasingly difficult and sometimes impossible to manage.
She said this growing resistance endangers decades of medical progress, potentially reversing our success in treating common infections, performing surgeries, and conducting medical procedures.
“The most pressing danger is the resistance found at birth in the new-born babies. The implication of AMR to human race is unquantifiable because it poses threat to man, animal, and plant (the environment),” Adeyeye said.
In addition to the above, she said, “the Agency created an In-house AMR–OH committee that collaborate with other sister MDAs such as NCDC, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Environment, VCN, NIAS, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and foreign partners such as WHO, WOAH, RAGNA of EU among others in combating AMR. The Agency also step-up advocacy and enlightenment campaign on the danger of AMR to stakeholders, professionals, and farmers.”
The DG said, “NAFDAC’s regulatory efforts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) include ensuring the quality and controlling the distribution of antimicrobial products, implementing stewardship programs to ensure responsible handling and use of antimicrobial agents, and conducting public awareness campaigns to educate on AMR risks.”
She added that the Agency also gathers surveillance data on AMR trends to inform policy and aligns with global standards through international collaboration, as part of initiatives that are crucial to preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials agents and protecting public health.
NAFDAC in collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, hosted the #WAAW2024 in Lagos.