Every decision regarding the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or other veterinary products has an impact that extends beyond the production establishment. Using them consciously preserves animal health, guarantees food safety, protects human health, and supports the quality of animal products that Argentina exports.
In this context, the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA) promotes the responsible use of veterinary products, especially in animals destined for food production, and highlights the importance of collaborative work among veterinarians, producers, laboratories, and other actors in the production chain.
Consultation with a private veterinarian is key to defining the diagnosis, selecting the appropriate treatment, and conducting the corresponding clinical follow-up. Therefore, veterinary products must be administered with professional indication.
In this process, the veterinary prescription is a mandatory instrument that contributes to optimizing the management of pharmacological products, especially antimicrobials. Incorrect use can favor antimicrobial resistance, a phenomenon by which microorganisms develop the ability to survive medications that previously combated them, making it difficult to treat infections in both animals and people.
Given this scenario, it is fundamental to record each treatment, noting the animals treated, the product used and its identification data, the administration dates, the withdrawal period, and those responsible for its indication and application. This information allows verifying compliance with treatments and strengthens food traceability.
Approved Products: Safety, Efficacy, and Quality
When acquiring a veterinary medicine, it is necessary to verify that it is authorized by SENASA. To do so, one can consult the official Vademecum of veterinary products, using the certificate number found on the packaging, label, or leaflet.
Products without official approval do not offer guarantees of safety, efficacy, and quality. Their use can cause adverse effects in animals, ineffective treatments, or improper residues in animal products. In case of finding an unauthorized product, it should be reported to SENASA through the complaint system.
In addition to checking if the product is authorized, it is important to carefully read the label and leaflet. These contain indications for use, dosages, administration routes, authorized species, contraindications, and other precautions.
Following the instructions on the leaflet implies, among other things, respecting the withdrawal period, that is, the period that must elapse between the last administration of the product and the moment when the food (meat, milk, eggs, or honey) can be destined for human consumption. This allows drug residues to remain within the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established for animal products.
Responsibility does not end with the person administering the medication. Laboratories, sales outlets, and distributors also have an essential role in marketing authorized products, promoting professional consultation, and providing clear information on conditions of use.
Consulting the veterinarian, choosing authorized products, respecting the instructions on the leaflet, and recording treatments are simple actions that protect animal health and human health, and sustain the quality of Argentine food worldwide.
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