FDA requests preventative labels on dewormers to combat antiparasitic resistance

Animal drug companies are being asked to revise the labels of medicine made to treat certain internal parasites in livestock and horses. The goal is to add information that will spread awareness of antiparasitic resistance.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking these changes be made to help veterinarians, livestock producers, and animal owners better understand the proper use of dewormers and ways to monitor and slow down the development of antiparasitic resistance at farm level.The requested labeling alterations specifically affect anthelmintics for livestock (such as cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and swine) and horses. Anthelmintics are animal drugs for treating helminths, a term referring to several groups of internal parasites known as worms. Tapeworms and roundworms are common types of helminths.