Antimicrobials Usage Policy

Veterinarian

An Interchick Veterinary surgeon who is duly registered and retained by the Veterinary Council of Tanzania VCT

Antibiotic

Substances developed to make medicines that either destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria in human or animal treatments

Antimicrobial

All agents, whether of biological origin, semisynthetic or synthetic that act in vivo against all types of microorganisms.

Antimicrobial resistance

Development of tolerance by microorganisms to levels of antimicrobials that would normally inhibit or kill them. This does not include pre-existing natural susceptibility of specific pathogens.

Veterinary Prescription

A prescription issued by an Interchick veterinary surgeon for dispensation and administration of POMV

POMV

Prescription Only Medicines-Veterinary (POMV) as outlined in the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Paraprofessionals Act: Drug schedules.

Antimicrobial residue

Metabolites of antimicrobials found in edible portions of food more than the maximum residue limits set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards.

Prophylaxis

The administration of a product ahead of exposure, in anticipation of possible infection.

Metaphylaxis

The administration of the product to clinically healthy (including presumed infected) animals in-contact with sick animals, to prevent them from developing clinical signs, and to prevent further spread of the disease.

Antimicrobial Stocking

Only antimicrobials that have been licenced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate should be stocked. Licences and other necessary documentations should be kept by the Company Veterinarian.

Prescription of antimicrobials

The prescription and dispensation of antimicrobials must be justified by a veterinary diagnosis, followed by sensitivity testing where possible to determine choice of antimicrobial where possible.

Priority will be given to use of the most-narrow spectrum antibiotics after sensitivity tests and similar efficacy trials for other antimicrobials.

Antimicrobials are only used under the prescription of an Interchick veterinarian, duly registered and retained by the Tanzania Veterinary Board.

The use of critically important antimicrobials is avoided since these are critical for use in life-threatening infections in humans.

Routine use of medically important antibiotics for prevention of disease is not permitted.

Laboratory testing

Interchick carries out sensitivity testing for cases to enable and inform current and future antimicrobial use.

Antibiotic prescription on our farms and contracted farms shall only be done after culture and Sensitivity.

Collection of antimicrobials

Veterinary prescription required.

Administration of antimicrobials

Recorded and records kept for review.

Antimicrobial therapy or metaphylaxis should never replace good management practices- where possible, sick birds to be isolated and treated to minimize shedding and infecting the healthy flock.

Antimicrobials must be administered to the chicken according to the veterinarian’s prescription.

Antiparasitic use shall follow O.I.E guidelines with a focus on frequent rotation to limit chances of resistance.

    Routine prophylaxis is prohibited.

Withdrawal period of antimicrobials

To be observed strictly as per veterinary prescription.

Antimicrobial residue tests, where indicated, shall be done for flocks on medication.

Storage of antimicrobials on farms or hatchery

Veterinary prescription required and records of storage to be kept for review.

Disinfectants and Detergents

Their use shall be guided by company cleaning and disinfection protocols and will be based on laboratory efficacy trials and frequent post clean-down environmental swabs.

Feed Additives and Coccidiostats

No use of antibiotic growth promoters and other banned additives in our feeds

Continued use of Ionophores and Coccidiostats is permissible, subject to the VSVP Act Regulations. Whenever used, a clear rotation programme shall be in place.