Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 3/31/10

FDA on Monday announced it is seeking comments to help the agency draft proposed rules that could change its current regulation of veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs.

The VFD regulation, effective since 2001, established requirements for distributing and using VFD drugs and animal feeds containing such drugs.

FDA reaffirmed that certain new animal drugs should be approved for use in animal feed only if these medicated feeds are administered under a veterinarian's order and professional supervision. FDA said it has received a number of informal comments characterizing the current VFD process as overly burdensome.

In response, FDA is reviewing the VFD regulations to determine whether changes are warranted to improve the program's efficiency.

The agency invited comments on all aspects of the VFD regulation, available online here.

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