APUA Letter to Bayer
November 27, 2000
Ref: CVM doc. # 00N - 1571
Helge H. Wehmeier
President and Chief Executive Officer
Bayer Corporation
100 Bayer Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741
Dear Mr. Wehmeier,
This letter is to notify the US Food and Drug Administration and the Bayer
Corporation of the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics' (APUA's) support
of the FDA proposal to withdraw the fluoroquinoloneantibiotic enrofloxacin
(trade nameBaytril®) from use in poultry in the United States. APUA has
previously registered concern that use of fluoroquinolones in food animals can
result in the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria that will travel to people
through food.
Now there is enough evidence to provide a link between the introduction of
fluoroquinolones for use in food animals andthe development of resistant strains
in Campylobacter and Salmonella. We therefore encourage strong regulatory
action on the part of the FDA and voluntary compliance on the part of Bayer.
We are concerned that any delay in the withdrawal of this antibiotic will result in
higher levels of resistance and consequently additional public health risks. Thank
you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Stuart B. Levy, MD
President, APUA
Kathleen T. Young
Executive Director, APUA
cc: FDA
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