Annual Report NRSP-7

1998

 

July 1, 1999

Dr. John G. Babish

National Coordinator

jgb7@cornell.edu

 

 

Executive Summary

 

            The original goal of the NRSP-7 Minor Use Animal Drug Program was to obtain approval by the Food and Drug Administration for animal drugs intended for use in minor species and for minor uses in major species.  While this continues to remain the dominant goal of the program, the research program has expanded or given additional emphasis to aquaculture species, veal calves and sheep.  To date 295 drug requests have been submitted to the Minor Use Animal Drug Program for the development of data in support of the submission of a New Animal Drug Approval (NADA).  Working in conjunction with many universities, 25 Public Master files have been published in the Federal Register.  These have supported FDA approval for 21 products.  Currently there are 22 active research projects are being conducted in 15 states involving 18 animal species and 17 different drugs.  Whereas a total of 295 animal drug requests have been submitted to the NRSP-7 program since 1983, program funding has been available for only about one out of every five requests. 

 

            In addition to the escalating backlog and growing animal drug needs, the recent passage of the Animal Medical Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA) enacted in 1996 legalized extra-label drug use by veterinarians and has significantly impacted the use of approved animal drugs.  This legislation does not allow for extra-label use of a drug for medication in feed, virtually the only route of drug administration for aquaculture, game bird and several other industries.  Thus, there is an increasing need for research to provide veterinarians with data, such as appropriate withdrawal times, necessary to make informed decisions about extra-label use of unapproved drugs in minor species.  Furthermore, the anticipated reclassification by FDA/CVM of sheep as minor species, emerging new animal industries such as ostrich and emus, and non-food species within agriculture practices, disease transfer from non-agricultural species to domestic species, and food and environmental safety are but a few of the increased demands on the program.

 

 

 

Annual Report of the Minor Use Animal Drug Program

January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998

 

Project: NRSP-7 A National Agricultural Program to Approve Animal Drugs for Minor Species and Uses

 

Cooperating Agencies and Principal Leaders:

 

 

Dr. G. M. Buening

Dr. J. T. Neilson

Dr. R.G. Sasser

Dr. W.W. Saylor

Dr. J. G. Babish

Dr. P.R. Bowser

Dr. A. L. Craigmill

Dr. R.E. Holland

Dr. A.I. Webb

Dr. L.R. Miller

Dr. M.R.Oeller

 

Missouri AES

Florida AES

Idaho AES

Delaware AES

New York AES

New York AES

California AES

Michigan AES

Florida AES

USDA/CSRESS

FDA/CVM

 

 

Progress of the Work and Principal Accomplishments:

The original goal of the NRSP-7 Minor Use Animal Drug Program was to obtain approval by the Food and Drug Administration for animal drugs intended for use in minor species and for minor uses in major species.  This continues to remain the dominant goal of the program.  In recent years, the research program has expanded or given additional emphasis to aquaculture species, veal calves and sheep.  In addition, several new animal drugs requests were recently received for game birds.  The importance of environmental assessment, residue withdrawals and occupational safety have increasingly been given more attention during the approval process to help assure consumer protection. 

 

To date 295 drug requests have been submitted to the Minor Use Animal Drug Program for the development of data in support of the submission of a New Animal Drug Approval (NADA).  Working in conjunction with many universities, 25 Public Master files have been published in the Federal Register.  These have supported FDA approval for 21 products to date.  Currently there are 22 active research projects are being conducted in 15 states involving 18 animal species and 17 different drugs.  Whereas a total of 295 animal drug requests have been submitted to the NRSP-7 program since 1983, program funding has been available for only about one out of every five requests. 

 

In 1998 a Public Master File was completed and published for clorsulon for the treatment of hepatic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica in goats.  Studies were completed that will lead to the completion and submission of several Public Master Files in the coming year.  These include oxytetracycline for bacterial pneumonia in sheep and goats, amoxicillin for bacterial pneumonia in sheep and goats, and ivermectin pour-on for the treatment of Ostertagia ostertagia in American bison. 

 

Usefulness of Findings: Through this safe and efficient process, consumers can be assured that human health is not jeopardized in any way.  Moreover, the Minor Use Animal Drug Program has averaged expenditures of only $200,000 for each of the drugs that have been approved for minor species. 

 

The Center for Veterinary Medicine of the Food and Drug Administration is cooperating and supporting this program to the fullest extent.  The program is a prime example of Federal interagency collaboration in coordination with academic institutions, pharmaceutical industries and commodity interests to effectively meet an urgent public health need. 

 

Selected categories of the Special Research Grants program address national/regional initiatives. The overall objectives established cooperatively with FDA and industry are still valid.  However, specific objectives continually are met and revised to reflect the changing priorities for FDA, industry and consumers. 

 

Research projects for this program have involved 20 different animal and aquaculture species with emphasis given in recent years to research on drugs for the expanding aquaculture industry and increasing number of requests from the sheep, veal calf, and game bird industries.  The minor use animal drugs program involves research on biological systems that by their nature are ever changing and presenting new challenges to agriculture.  Now, with the increased public sensitivities about food safety and environmental protection, there is an even  greater need for continuation of these ongoing projects. 

 

Work Planned for Next Year:

In addition to the escalating backlog and growing animal drug needs, the recent passage of the Animal Medical Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA) enacted in 1996 legalized extra-label drug use by veterinarians and has significantly impacted the use of approved animal drugs.  AMDUCA attempts to define and delimit the extra-label use of veterinary drugs.  Extra-label use primarily refers to the use of an animal drug product by a veterinarian for a species or indication not listed on the label to treat animals that are immediately threatened or suffering.  However, this legislation does not allow for extra-label use of a drug for medication in feed, virtually the only route of drug administration for aquaculture, game bird and several other industries.  Thus, there is an increasing need for research to provide veterinarians with data, such as appropriate withdrawal times, necessary to make informed decisions about extra-label use of unapproved drugs in minor species. 

 

Furthermore, the anticipated reclassification by FDA/CVM of sheep as minor species, emerging new animal industries such as ostrich and emus, and non-food species within agriculture practices, disease transfer from non-agricultural species to domestic species, and food and environmental safety are but a few of the increased demands on the program.  Research on the active projects will continue into next year with the goal of publishing Public Master Files and ultimately having the use placed on a manufacturer’s label so that the animal industry can use an approved drug insuring safety of the food product. 

 

Publications Issued or Manuscripts Approved During the Year:

A.I. Webb (Editor) (1998)  Proceedings of the NRSP-7/FDA Workshop for Minor Use Drugs: Drug availability for minor species in the 21st Century. Vet Human Toxicol,  40: suppl 1.

 

Griffin, B. R,; Hobbs, M.S, Gollon, J.L, Schlenk, D, Kadlubar, F.F, and  Brand, C.D. (1997)  Effect of waterborne copper sulfate exposure on copper content in liver and axial muscle of channel catfish. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 9(2); 144-150.

 

Oeler, M. (1997) Drug availability for minor species (1). The Regulatory Affairs Journal, 8(12) 992-996. 

 

Oeller, M. (1998) Drug availability for minor species (2). The Regulatory Affairs Journal, 9(1) 4-8. 

 

Oeller, M. (1998) NRSP-7 holds semi-annual committee meeting.  FDA Veterinarian.  XII(VI) 10-12. 

 

Perkins,E.J., Griffin, B; Hobbs, M; Gollon, J; Wolford, L; Schlenk, D. (1997)  Sexual differences in mortality and sublethal stress in channel catfish following a 10-week exposure to copper sulfate Aquat. Toxicol.; 37:4, 327-339.

 

S. Modric and A.I. Webb. (1997) A comparison of tilmicosin pharmacokinetics in the bovine and ovine, Proc 7th Eur Assoc Vet Pharmacol & Toxicol Int Congress,  [J vet Pharmacol Therap,  20 (Suppl 1) 141]

 

Tell, L., Harrenstein, L., Wetzlich, S., Needham, M., Nappier, J., Hoffman, G., Caputo, J. and Craigmill, A.  (1998) Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium in exotic and domestic avian species.  J Vet Pharm Therap. 21(2)85-91. 

 

Tort, M.J., A.J. Kuhl, G.A. Wooster and P.R. Bowser. (1998) Modification of tolerance of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) to bath treatment with hydrogen peroxide.  Journal of the World Aquaculture Society.  29:499-504.

Abstracts and Dissertations:

Modric S. (1997)  Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of Tilmicosin in Sheep, Cattle and Ratsî.  PhD Dissertation, University of Florida.

 

Tort, M.J., A.J. Kuhl, G.A. Wooster and P.R. Bowser.  1998.  Modification of tolerance of walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum) to bath treatment with hydrogen peroxide.  Annual Meeting of the New York Chapter American Fisheries Society.  29-31 January 1998.  Owego, NY.

 

Tort, M.J., G.A.Wooster and P.R.Bowser.  1998.  Hydrogen peroxide as a therapeutic compound for bacterial gill disease in fish.  SETAC-Europe.  14-18 April 1998. Bordeaux. France.

 

Tort, M.J., G.A.Wooster and P.R. Bowser.  1998.  Hydrogen peroxide as a therapeutic compound for bacterial gill disease in fish. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.  23-27 August 1998. Hartford, CT.

 

Tort, M.J.  1998.  Risk assessment of hydrogen peroxide use as a therapeutic compound for fish diseases in production settings.  RASS VII, 22-30 August 1998.  Visby, Sweden.

 

Tort, M.J., G.A.Wooster and P.R. Bowser.  1998.  Hydrogen Peroxide as a Therapeutic Compound for Bacterial Gill Disease in Fish.  Third International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health.  30 August - 3 September 1998.  Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Tort, M.J., G.A. Wooster and P.R.Bowser.  1998.  Hydrogen peroxide as a therapeutic compound for bacterial gill disease in fish.  SETC 19th Annual Meeting.  15-19 November 1998.  Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

Approved

 

 

 

 

 

John G. Babish, Ph.D.                                                                                  Date

Chair, Technical Committee

 

 

 

 

William W. Saylor, Ph.D.                                                                              Date

Chair, Administrative Advisors