2020 Veterinary Antimicrobial Sales Highlights Report

Working towards the preservation of effective antimicrobials for humans and animals

Context

Key findings

In 2020, which is the third year of mandatory sales reporting, the key findings were:  

Information on antimicrobials of importance to human medicine sold for use in animals

• Overall sales of antimicrobials for all animals increased by 6% in 2020 (in total kg sold) compared to 2019.
  • For production animals (which includes food-producing animals and horses) there was a 7% increase in antimicrobials sold when accounting for the number of animals and their weights (using an average weight at treatment or slaughter weight).
• Antimicrobial classes that had the largest increase in sales (kg) since 2019 were the tetracyclines, streptogramins and penicillins.
• Since the first year of mandatory sales reporting in 2018, the percentage of sales has decreased by 4% for manufacturers and increased by 2% for importers and compounders.
• In 2020, manufacturers represented 86% (946,591 kg) of the total kg of antimicrobials sold and importers represented 8% (93,152 kg):
  • There was an overall increase in sales (~63,000 kg) of medically important antimicrobials between 2019 and 2020.
  • Top classes of antimicrobials sold by manufacturers and importers were tetracyclines, macrolides, penicillins, bacitracins and sulfonamides (similar to 2019).
  • Total sales (kg) by Category of Importance to Human Medicine: Category III (medium importance) ~68%, Category II (high importance) 30%, Category I (very high importance) <1% (similar rank to 2019) and uncategorized medically important 2%.
• In 2020, compounders represented 6% of the total kg of antimicrobials sold (64,891 kg):
  • The majority of antimicrobials sold by compounders were Category II and III (94%). The top classes reported were diaminopyrimidine-sulfonamide combinations, penicillins and sulfonamides.
  • There was an increase in Category I compounded product sales from 1.4% (2019) of total sales to 6.5% (2020), largely attributed to increased compounding of metronidazole in companion animals.
  • On average, 84% of the total kg reported to be compounded were intended for use in pigs.

Animal species information

• The majority (kg) of antimicrobials sold were intended for use in pigs, cattle, poultry and aquaculture (similar to 2019).
• Adjusting for the number of animals and their weights, the majority of antimicrobials sold were intended for use in pigs, poultry, cattle and aquaculture (similar to 2019).
• Between 2019 and 2020 overall sales intended for use:
  • Decreased in aquaculture (both in kg and adjusted for the kg of fish produced).
  • Increased in cattle, pigs, small ruminants, cats and dogs (both in kg and when adjusted for the number of animals and their weights).
  • Remained relatively stable (<1% change) in horses.
  • Decreased in poultry (kg) by 2%, however when adjusting for the number of animals and their Canadian standard weights, sales for use in poultry increased by 1%.
• Between 2019 and 2020 Category I sales intended for use:
  • Increased in dairy cattle by ~62% (~204 kg).
  • Decreased in beef cattle by ~11% (~151 kg).
  • Were relatively stable in pigs and in cats and dogs (<1% change).
• In 2020, the sale of macrolides by manufacturers and importers for use in poultry decreased from ~5,700 kg to almost zero (~4 kg).

Information on route of administration

• The majority of sales by route of administration (92%) were intended for use via feed or water.
• Overall breakdown of sales by route of administration:
  • Feed (premix) (75%)
  • Water (17%)
  • Injection (4%)
  • Other routes (3%)
  • Oral (other) (1%)

Regional information

• The largest volume of antimicrobials sold for use in animals by manufacturers and importers were reported to be in Ontario, Alberta, Québec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which are the major food animal-producing provinces.
• Compared to 2019, sales decreased in Alberta, New Brunswick and British Columbia, and increased in Ontario, Manitoba, Québec and Saskatchewan.
• In 2019 and 2020, the majority of the quantities of antimicrobials reported to be compounded for use in animals were in Québec (61%), followed by Ontario (20%) and Manitoba (12%). There may be subsequent distribution of antimicrobials across provincial borders after being compounded, hence caution should be applied when interpreting the provincial quantities of antimicrobials compounded.