020353 Bayer Seeks Support For Poultry AntibioticPittsburgh. PA - Bayer Corp. is reaching out to veterinarians and the poultry industry for support as the Food and Drug Administration considers a ban of its antibiotic Baytril. Bayer Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of the German pharmaceutical maker Bayer AG, told the FDA that it plans to present data in support of Baytril. Baytril belongs to the fluroquinolone class of antibiotics and has been marketed to treat bacterial infections in chickens and turkeys since 1995. The FDA in October 2000 proposed banning fluroquinolones after public health researchers found a link to drug-resistant strains of campylobacter, the nation's leading bacterial cause of food poisoning. Health officials fear drugs such as Baytril could lead germs to become more drug-resistant. Since then, Bayer has been disputing those findings, saying the research was flawed. It plans to present the FDA with an analysis of government data to defend Baytril. A hearing for Baytril has not been scheduled. The company said it has sent letters to veterinarians and members of the poultry industry seeking support. Bayer said the drug is fed to less than 1 percent of chickens, and only when disease threatens a flock.
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com |
