When the types of antimicrobials important for human medicine are sold for use in farm animals, only a small portion require a veterinarian’s signature for purchase.
Little of the volume of such drugs sold now will be available over the counter two years from now…
Out of 19.6 million pounds of such drugs approved for livestock use in 2012, more than 19 million pounds were shipped by pharmaceutical companies to be available over the counter… 94% [of which] were distributed for use in livestock feed or water, and all uses of those antimicrobials will require veterinarian oversight or be prohibited within the next two years.
