Veterinary drugs

Health Canada is responsible for protecting human and animal health and the safety of Canada's food supply. Through the Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD), Health Canada evaluates and monitors the safety, quality and effectiveness, sets standards and promotes the prudent use of veterinary drugs administered to food-producing and companion animals.

VDD works both at a national and international level in collaboration with other jurisdictions and key stakeholder groups, including drug manufacturers, veterinarians, livestock producers and feed manufacturers. Each group plays a vital role in maintaining Canada's high standards for safe food and safe and effective veterinary drugs.

• Advisories, Warnings and Recalls

What information is available

In this section, information is available on adverse drug reactions (pharmacovigilance) to veterinary drugs, public consultations and our policies and programs including antimicrobial resistance, extra-label drug use and maximum residue limits. There are up-to-date Factsheets, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and links to related sites. There is also a Stakeholder Information section that includes details on the VDD's various stakeholder committees and other pertinent issues.

Veterinary drug manufacturers can find forms and guidance for filing a submission for a new drug along with other pertinent information in the Applications and Submissions section.

• Links to organizations and products related to veterinary drugs
• Information about nanotechnology-based health products and food

Past consultations

• Consultation on Appendix E-2: Viable microbial products (VMPs): an addition to the Guidance Document on Classification of Veterinary Drugs and Livestock Feeds
• Consultation on the Proposed Teat Antiseptic Product Monograph [2017-05-06]