3.5 The five principles (5 Rs) of antimicrobial stewardship in animal health
The 5 Rs are our roadmap for managing AMR in food animals (Figure 8). They are principles that guide us to use the right drug, in the right amount, at the right time, for the right reasons.
You can learn all about the 5 Rs of antimicrobial stewardship by watching this short Youtube video [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .
3.5.1 Responsibility
Everyone who uses antimicrobials is responsible for using them appropriately. This is especially true for veterinarians, who prescribe and dispense antimicrobials regularly, but it also includes farmers, workers, animal health advisors, and others involved in supplying or using the drugs in food animals.
3.5.2 Reduction
Antimicrobials are not always the only solution to fight infections. Reduction is about minimising the need for antimicrobials by being proactive and identifying innovative solutions to prevent disease. For example, improving husbandry practices like changing the ventilation system in a shed, or feeding a more nutritious diet, can help prevent disease. Less reliance on antimicrobials will improve economic returns and slow the development of resistant bacteria.
3.5.3 Refinement
When animals get sick, sometimes our best course of action is to use antimicrobials to treat the infection. This is where refinement comes into play. By determining the cause of the infection (using diagnostic tests), you can select the most appropriate antimicrobial to use. Continually evaluating diseases on farms and identifying the bacteria causing the illness allows veterinarians to refine antimicrobial use.
3.5.4 Replacement
Wherever possible, alternatives to antimicrobials should be used to treat infections. This is known as ‘replacement’. For example, vaccinations can often be used to prevent illness in farm animals, and the use of probiotics can improve gut health and the immune system.
3.5.5 Review
Review is the last step on the roadmap to antimicrobial stewardship. The decisions made today may not always be applicable in the future. Veterinarians should work with farmers to track and monitor changes in herd health on a regular basis. This includes tracking the number of antimicrobials used.
3.4.1 Guidelines for prescribing or giving antimicrobials to animals
