Antimicrobial Categorization

Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) is announcing the release of the revised document on Antimicrobial Categorization Based on Importance in Human Medicine. This document is a revision of a previous draft that was posted for consultation in 2006. Comments received from the consultation as well as recommendations from the VDD's Expert Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance Risk Assessment were taken into consideration in preparing this revised version.

The purpose of this document is to assist in the microbiological safety assessment of pre- and post-market evaluation of veterinary antimicrobials. As such, the categorization outlined in the document is not a risk assessment but rather one consideration in the hazard characterization component of the assessment conducted as part of the pre- or post- market evaluation of these products.

Consistent with dynamic nature of scientific advances in the field of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance, this document is expected to be revisited periodically and as appropriate, revised with input from the Expert Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance Risk Assessment.

The Antimicrobial categorization document is available online.

The VDD would appreciate your collaboration in bringing this information to the attention of interested parties in your organization. Written feedback can be directed to:

• Veterinary Drugs Directorate
• Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada
• Holland Cross Complex, 11 Holland Avenue, Suite 14
• Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
• Fax: (613) 954-9860
• Email: vetdrugs-medsvet@hc-sc.gc.ca