Improving access and legislation to veterinary products for the Americas

 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious risk to animals and humans. Both rely on antibiotics to manage bacterial diseases. However, the accuracy and timeliness of diagnoses of animal illnesses often challenge the efficacy of human treatment, livelihoods and food security. AMR in livestock, poultry and fish can affect people through consumption, direct contact, or through contamination of the environment. AMR policies in veterinary legislation, governance over the appropriate use of antimicrobials, and research into possible alternatives are only at the beginning stage. These problems are particularly important in low- and middle-income countries, such as in Latin America, where regulatory frameworks, healthcare infrastructure and access to quality services are weak.

This project aims to address some of the policy gaps in Latin American countries through literature reviews, workshops with relevant stakeholders and interviews with subject experts. The work will include improving access to safe and effective veterinary products for aquaculture through dialogue with and among academics, regulators and veterinary product manufacturers to identify barriers on alternative usage in the aquaculture industry. The project will also pilot-test the One Health Legal Assessment Tool to ensure that it aligns with international standards and supports One Health coordination across food safety, animal health, pesticides and environmental protection. Finally, the project will compile and publish a report on best practices in alternatives to antimicrobial use in food animals in English, Spanish and French.   

This project is part of the InnoVet-AMR 2.0: Innovative Veterinary Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance initiative, a partnership between IDRC and the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF). InnoVet-AMR is in its second four-year phase and is aimed at developing new alternative innovations to provide farmers with choices to reduce the use of antimicrobials.