Glossary
Critically important antibioticsantibiotiques d'importance critique
Critically important antibiotics are substances, mainly third and fourth-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, whose veterinary use France restricts because they are essential in human medicine (article L5144-1-1 of the French Public Health Code).
Since 1 April 2016, they may not be used preventively, only for treatment or metaphylaxis, and only after a clinical examination, identification of the strain and a susceptibility test, with records kept for 5 years.
They should not be confused with the EU list of antimicrobials reserved for human use (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1255), banned in all animals since 9 February 2023.
Sources
See also
- CalypsoVet CalypsoVet is the French platform through which vets report antimicrobial prescriptions, supplies and administrations, by the end of the month following each supply.
- Cascade The cascade is the derogation that lets a vet, exceptionally and on their own responsibility, prescribe a medicine outside its marketing authorisation when no authorised product exists for the species and condition (articles 112 to 114 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6).
- Veterinary prescription A French veterinary prescription is the document a vet issues, after a clinical examination or proper assessment of the animal, for a veterinary medicine or a human medicine given to animals (articles 4 and 105 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6).