Appeals Court Overturns Mandate Requiring FDA Action On Animal Antibiotics

Appeals Court Overturns Mandate Requiring FDA Action On Animal Antibiotics

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Thursday (July 24) said any decision to institute or terminate a hearing process that could lead to withdrawing the approval of animal antibiotics should be left up to FDA. The decision -- which addresses an FDA regulatory process that started in 1977 but wasn't finished -- overturns a district court ruling that compelled the agency to complete withdrawal hearings on classes of animal antibiotics. The ruling was immediately blasted by animal antibiotic control advocates who dislike FDA's current voluntary approach.