Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial drugs are used in both people and animals and play an important role in public health across the globe. When antimicrobials are used in animals, it can contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria that can be transferred to people. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms such as bacteria, to resist the effects of antimicrobials, which are the drugs used to kill the microorganisms. When microorganisms become increasingly resistant to antimicrobial drugs, the drugs become less effective at slowing or stopping the growth of the microorganisms. This makes it more difficult to treat infections in people and animals. When antimicrobials are used excessively or inappropriately, the rate of this resistance grows.

In FY 2024, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) developed a five-year action plan for supporting antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings. The 2024-2028 plan aims to limit or reverse resistance arising from the use of antibiotics in animals, while continuing to ensure the availability of safe and effective antibiotics for use in animals and humans.