Antibiotic Resistance: Federal Agencies Need to Better Focus Efforts to Address Risk to Humans from Antibiotic Use in Animals

USDA has continued collecting data on antibiotic use in animals and emergence of resistant disease strains in the USDA/ARS Antimicrobial Resistance Research Unit in Athens, Georgia. This work has progressed steadily but slowly, because of the limited resources, according to the unit's Research Leader. The research has focused on swine and data from two studies under the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS)that took random samples of swine in 17 states. While USDA has continued its efforts independently, it has not worked jointly with HHS to develop and implement a focused plan, which was the purpose of the recommendation.

HHS has not provided GAO with information that addresses what the department has done in response to this recommendation.

FDA responded by email that it was devoting considerable resources to its work on antimicrobial resistance. FDA's work includes tracking resistance patterns through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System and participating in the Public Health Action Plan and international Codex activities. FDA has expanded its analysis of previously approved applications for the use of penicillin in animal feeds to include a review of relevant published literature, new information submitted by sponsors of one of the involved products, and the information contained in two Citizen Petitions submitted to FDA in March of 1999 and April of 2005. When FDA completes an analysis of all of the relevant information, FDA will be able to make the necessary determinations related to the pending Citizen's petitions and the previously approved applications." However, FDA did not respond when asked which risk assessments were completed, what determinations were made, what actions were taken, and how many FTE's and other resources were devoted to this. FDA has not implemented this recommendation.