Dear colleagues
My name is Japhta Mokoele based at the University of Pretoria, Department of Production Animal Studies.
I am involved with the survey of Antimicrobial use and resistance in the pig farms in Gauteng. what I see is that the pig farmers want to solve all the problems with drugs and that is not how it should be.
We need do more veterinary extension work to help train farmers on the role of antimicrobials and when and how they need to be used. This need to be a coordinated work for all the professions within animal agriculture.
What is the biggest communication challenge related to AMR and inappropriate antimicrobial usage (AMU) in Africa?
In South Africa, we have two acts controlling AMR, mainly Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947) controlled the Department of Agriculture and The prescription only medicines in South Africa, is controlled by a second drug control act, known as the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965), administered by the Department of Health (DOH) i.e. the major difference between the Medicines Act and the Stock Remedies are restricted to veterinary prescription, while stock remedies are typically over-the-counter drugs.
The challenge is that most of these drugs (tetracyclines, sulphurs) are registered under act 36 and that is the challenge because this drug is sold by big cooperatives that are manned by people with less know how about the drugs.
My view is that we need to have this place employing para-vets or working with the veterinarians to assist with this important messaging on dosages, withdrawal periods and the best way of storing and usage of drugs at farm level.
Dr. Japhta Mokoele