FDA Issues Warning to Online Pet Retailers, Including Chewy, Over Sale of ‘Unapproved and Misbranded’ Medications

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to nine online pet retailers, including the well-known company Chewy, for offering “illegally marketed” over-the-counter antimicrobial medications, such as penicillin-based antibiotics, which may increase the risk of serious infections in humans.

Key Highlights

• The FDA has specifically called out nine pet suppliers for distributing unapproved antimicrobial medications intended mainly for aquarium fish and birds. These products include drugs that are also utilized in human medicine, such as amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin.
• Health experts emphasize that the misuse of antimicrobial medications has played a role in the growing prevalence of treatment-resistant infections, as bacteria and other microorganisms develop resistance to these drugs.
• In addition to Chewy, the other eight suppliers identified by the FDA include American Aquarium Products, Aquanest Biotic, Aquarium Pharmacy LLC, California Veterinary Supply, Kraft Drug, Midland Veterinary Services LLC, Silver Lease LLC, and Valley Veterinary Clinic LTD.
• These suppliers have been given a 15-day deadline to respond with a strategy for eliminating these antimicrobial products, or they could face legal consequences and product seizures.
• Chewy, along with three other suppliers, has not yet commented in response to Forbes’ inquiries.

Context

Doctors frequently use antimicrobial medications to treat infections caused by bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms. However, there is growing concern that excessive use of these drugs is leading to antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when microorganisms become immune to treatments. The FDA highlighted that “excessive or inappropriate use of antimicrobials accelerates the rate of resistance.” This issue can arise from the use of these drugs in both animals and humans. In 2019, the World Health Organization estimated that pathogens resistant to antimicrobials were linked to 1.27 million deaths, with an additional 4.95 million deaths attributed to these resistant infections.

Noteworthy Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States reports approximately 2.8 million cases of antimicrobial-resistant infections each year, resulting in about 35,000 deaths in 2019, as noted in a threat assessment report.

Counterpoint

The CDC has indicated that the danger of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens affects not just humans but also animals and crops. “Antibiotic-resistant germs can also share their resistance traits with other bacteria that have not been exposed to antibiotics,” the agency stated. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association has expressed that the link between the use of antimicrobials in animals and antimicrobial resistance remains “unclear.” They assert that antimicrobial resistance is more prevalent among “human pathogens transmitted between humans,” rather than foodborne illnesses or those traced to animals. The association advocates for the continued use of antimicrobial drugs in veterinary medicine, describing them as an essential part of a veterinarian’s toolkit.

Additional Information

The FDA has also cautioned that humans might be using some antimicrobial medications intended for pets. Following an online misinformation campaign, the sales of Ivermectin—an antimicrobial used for treating parasites like heartworm in animals—saw a significant surge in 2021. The drug was inaccurately promoted as a potential cure for COVID-19 by various political figures, including Texas Representative Louie Gohmert, as well as popular podcast host Joe Rogan. Consequently, many individuals sought the drug from veterinary suppliers and farm stores. Subsequent research has established that Ivermectin is ineffective against COVID-19, being approved solely for treating conditions like lice, parasitic worms, and skin issues such as rosacea in humans. The FDA warns against the use of animal-targeted antimicrobials, as they can “delay effective treatment, allowing infections to worsen and/or become more resistant to antimicrobials.”

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