Quality testing of veterinary antimicrobial products used for livestock in Vietnam, 2018-2019

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 3;16(3):e0247337. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247337. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Access to quality veterinary antimicrobial products contributes to efficient treatment of diseases in Vietnamese livestock and to reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Poor quality antimicrobial drugs can lead to treatment failure, potentially influencing the inappropriate use of antimicrobials products, including increasing the dose, combining drugs, or changing to a broader spectrum antimicrobial. The objective of the study was to determine the actual concentration of antimicrobial active ingredient (AAI) in commercially available veterinary antimicrobial products as an indicator of their quality. A total of 144 veterinary antimicrobial products were purchased from randomly selected veterinary drug stores in 34 districts in eight provinces. For the qualitative analysis, we observed criteria linked to form, colour, and labelling information according to the Department of Animal Health regulations. For the quantitative analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the actual concentration of AAI in each sample. Of the 144 samples, 131 (91%) met the national standard of quality of being within ±10% of the labelled concentration. Ten antimicrobials (6.9%) contained less than half of the labelled content concentrations. Veterinary antimicrobial product quality control is an important part of addressing AMR. To support the national action plan to lower AMR, a veterinary drug quality control program should be implemented at all stages of the supply chain to assure high quality drugs and effective treatment of sick animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / analysis*
  • Livestock*
  • Veterinary Drugs / analysis*
  • Vietnam

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Veterinary Drugs

Grants and funding

This is a work done under Letter of Agreement (LOA2), funded the Fleming Fund through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (LOA-FAVIE.2018.34-GCP.GLO.710.UK).