When we get an infection and our doctor prescribes an antibiotic, we expect it to work. But today that is not always the case. This winter there seemed to be more stories of people needing multiple rounds of antibiotics to overcome cold- or flu-related complications.
The state Legislature would be wise to act now to safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics, especially since there is no guarantee that Congress will. Maine needs LD 1126, which targets antibiotic overuse in agriculture, a major cause of antibiotic resistance in humans. The bill was the subject of a public hearing Monday by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
Some large-scale animal producers don't use antibiotics only to control disease; they use them as a matter of routine in animal feed to speed growth or to compensate for the bad conditions in which the animals are being raised. In fact, the Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that 70 percent of all antibiotics in the United States are used as feed additives for pigs, poultry and cattle. This abuse of good medicine in pursuit of profit is creating a public health problem that could become a crisis if nothing changes.
Maine's bill asks the state's institutions and schools to purchase only poultry, pork and beef raised without feed that contains antibiotics important to human medicine. It also directs state buyers to avoid chicken products raised using Cipro-like fluoroquinolone antibiotics, since studies show that such use makes that antibiotic ineffective in treating cases of severe food poisoning.
Maine's congressional delegation is united in its support of federal legislation that would phase out over two years the use as animal feed additives of antibiotics that are important in human medicine. Although legislation is expected in the 109th Congress, a similar measure introduced in the 108th Congress was met with strong opposition from agribusiness and the pharmaceutical industry.
Maine shouldn't wait for Congress to address this important public health issue. The Legislature can and must act now.
Antibiotic resistance is beginning to hit home, as the frequency, severity and duration of infections increases. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable. In fact, the group Keep Antibiotics Working is collecting anecdotal evidence to support its campaign to protect public health. Its Web site has a form on which those who have suffered from antibiotic resistance can register their stories (with privacy protections).
On the Net: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/ summary.asp?ID=280016078 and www.KeepAntibioticsWorking.com.Times Record (ME)
