FDA: "No" to antiviral drugs in poultry

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a final rule to prohibit extra-label use in poultry of two classes of approved human antiviral drugs in treating influenza: anti-influenza adamantane (amantadine and rimantadine) and neuraminidase inhibitor (oseltamivir and zanamivir). Extra-label use is the actual or intended use of a drug in an animal in a manner not in accordance with the approved label. The FDA hopes this measure will help preserve the effectiveness of the drugs in treating or preventing influenza infections in humans. Currently no drugs are approved for the treatment or prevention of influenza A in animals. You can submit comments on this final rule until May 22 at www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.