EPRUMA calls on the EU institutions to promote the Responsible Use of antibiotics from a One-Health perspective.
Brussels, 18 November 2014 – EPRUMA reiterates its commitment to promoting the Responsible Use of veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, and calls on the EU institutions to adopt a true One-Health approach regarding antibiotic policy.
EPRUMA welcomes the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s (ECDC) sustained efforts to promote the Responsible Use of antibiotics in human medicine through the European Antibiotic Awareness Day. EPRUMA encourages the ECDC to work with EPRUMA and other stakeholders to enlarge the current scope of European Antibiotic Awareness Day to cover both human and veterinary antibiotic use from a One-Health perspective.
EPRUMA partners firmly believe that Responsible Use should be an important part of the EU’s antibiotic strategy as Responsible Use complements policy and legislation by helping maintain the efficacy of antibiotics both in human and animal health.
EPRUMA requests that the European Institutions secure the provision of adequate resources for the development of new tools to prevent and control diseases on the ground in both humans and animals. Knowledge transfer and training opportunities for all health professionals, paraprofessionals and other relevant operators concerning the Responsible Use of antibiotics through EU ‘train the trainer’ programmes, other relevant programmes of knowledge transfer available at EU level, as well as targeted awareness campaigns must be equally supported. EPRUMA also asks the EU Member States to stimulate innovation and provide the regulatory environment allowing diagnostic manufacturers to market new tools to help veterinarians and farmers treat disease efficiently.
EPRUMA advocates transparency on the use of antibiotics, including a holistic approach to disease prevention and control through concepts such as biosecurity, good housing and ventilation, hygiene, appropriate nutrition, regular monitoring of health and welfare, herd health planning as a voluntary and flexible tool, and vaccination. EPRUMA seeks to ensure that antibiotics are used responsibly: under veterinary care, with diagnostics guiding the antibiotic choice, and according to licensing conditions.
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Download the press statement from: http://www.epruma.eu/news/news/news/81-epruma-releaaes-statement-on-antibiotic-awareness-day-2014.html
