Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in Brazil
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern, influenced by antibiotic use in both human and veterinary medicine, especially in companion animals. In low- and middle-income countries, regulatory oversight on veterinary prescriptions is often limited, creating gaps that can accelerate A...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| author | Rana Zahi Rached Regina Albanese Pose Érika Leão Ajala Caetano Joana Garrossino Magalhães Denise Grotto |
| author_facet | Rana Zahi Rached Regina Albanese Pose Érika Leão Ajala Caetano Joana Garrossino Magalhães Denise Grotto |
| author_sort | Rana Zahi Rached |
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| description | Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern, influenced by antibiotic use in both human and veterinary medicine, especially in companion animals. In low- and middle-income countries, regulatory oversight on veterinary prescriptions is often limited, creating gaps that can accelerate AMR. This study aimed to characterize the use of antibiotics approved for human use that are prescribed by veterinarians for companion animals in Brazil, a country representative of broader regulatory challenges. We conducted a retrospective analysis of five years (2017–2021) of national sales data recorded by the National System for the Management of Controlled Products (SNGPC), maintained by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). A total of 789,893 veterinary antibiotic prescriptions were analyzed over the five-year period, providing a comprehensive overview of prescribing patterns. The dataset included all oral and injectable antibiotics purchased in human pharmacies with veterinary prescriptions. Data wrangling and cleaning procedures were applied to extract information on volume, antibiotic classes, seasonal variation, and regional distribution. The results revealed a predominance of penicillins, first- and second-generation cephalosporins, and a marked increase in macrolide use, especially azithromycin. Notable regional disparities were observed, with the southeastern region leading in prescription volume. The findings, particularly the disproportionate use of azithromycin and the marked regional disparities, highlight the need for targeted monitoring policies and a stricter regulation of off-label antibiotic use in veterinary medicine. They also offer insights applicable to other countries facing similar AMR threats due to limited surveillance and regulatory frameworks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c8bf942d7edf42ce940b592d1a46b6be |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-c8bf942d7edf42ce940b592d1a46b6be2025-08-20T03:14:01ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-07-0112765210.3390/vetsci12070652Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in BrazilRana Zahi Rached0Regina Albanese Pose1Érika Leão Ajala Caetano2Joana Garrossino Magalhães3Denise Grotto4Toxicological Research Laboratory—Lapetox, University of Sorocaba, São Paulo 18023-000, BrazilSchool of Health—Veterinary Medicine, University of São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo 09521-160, BrazilToxicological Research Laboratory—Lapetox, University of Sorocaba, São Paulo 18023-000, BrazilToxicological Research Laboratory—Lapetox, University of Sorocaba, São Paulo 18023-000, BrazilToxicological Research Laboratory—Lapetox, University of Sorocaba, São Paulo 18023-000, BrazilAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern, influenced by antibiotic use in both human and veterinary medicine, especially in companion animals. In low- and middle-income countries, regulatory oversight on veterinary prescriptions is often limited, creating gaps that can accelerate AMR. This study aimed to characterize the use of antibiotics approved for human use that are prescribed by veterinarians for companion animals in Brazil, a country representative of broader regulatory challenges. We conducted a retrospective analysis of five years (2017–2021) of national sales data recorded by the National System for the Management of Controlled Products (SNGPC), maintained by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). A total of 789,893 veterinary antibiotic prescriptions were analyzed over the five-year period, providing a comprehensive overview of prescribing patterns. The dataset included all oral and injectable antibiotics purchased in human pharmacies with veterinary prescriptions. Data wrangling and cleaning procedures were applied to extract information on volume, antibiotic classes, seasonal variation, and regional distribution. The results revealed a predominance of penicillins, first- and second-generation cephalosporins, and a marked increase in macrolide use, especially azithromycin. Notable regional disparities were observed, with the southeastern region leading in prescription volume. The findings, particularly the disproportionate use of azithromycin and the marked regional disparities, highlight the need for targeted monitoring policies and a stricter regulation of off-label antibiotic use in veterinary medicine. They also offer insights applicable to other countries facing similar AMR threats due to limited surveillance and regulatory frameworks.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/652antimicrobial resistanceveterinary prescriptionscompanion animalsprescription surveillancedrug regulation |
| spellingShingle | Rana Zahi Rached Regina Albanese Pose Érika Leão Ajala Caetano Joana Garrossino Magalhães Denise Grotto Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in Brazil Veterinary Sciences antimicrobial resistance veterinary prescriptions companion animals prescription surveillance drug regulation |
| title | Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in Brazil |
| title_full | Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in Brazil |
| title_short | Veterinary Prescriptions of Antibiotics Approved for Human Use: A Five-Year Analysis of Companion Animal Use and Regulatory Gaps in Brazil |
| title_sort | veterinary prescriptions of antibiotics approved for human use a five year analysis of companion animal use and regulatory gaps in brazil |
| topic | antimicrobial resistance veterinary prescriptions companion animals prescription surveillance drug regulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/652 |
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