2019 Veterinary Antimicrobial Sales Highlights Report

Working towards the preservation of effective antimicrobials for humans and animals

Context

Key findings

In 2019, which is the second year of sales reporting, the key findings provide a comprehensive picture of antimicrobials available for veterinary use and support our antimicrobial resistance surveillance program and stewardship:

Information on antimicrobials of importance to human medicine sold for use in animals

• In 2019, there were approximately 24 times more animals than people in Canada and roughly 1.4 times more antimicrobials sold for use in food-producing animals than in humans (adjusted for animal population and weights).
• Sales of antimicrobials overall, decreased by 10% (in total kg sold) compared to 2018:
• There was a 12% decrease in antimicrobials sold for use in food-producing animals when accounting for number of animals and their weights.
• Antimicrobial classes that had the largest decrease in sales (kg) since 2018 were the tetracyclines, sulfonamides, penicillins and macrolides. However, sales of bacitracins increased.
• Manufacturers represented 88% (910,233 kg) of the total kg of active ingredients reported and importers represented 7% (67,930 kg):
• Top classes of antimicrobials sold by manufacturers and importers were tetracyclines, macrolides, bacitracins, penicillins and sulfonamides (similar to 2018).
• Total sales by volume of antimicrobials important to human medicine: Category III (medium importance) ~67%, Category II (high importance) 30% and Category I (very high importance) < 1% (similar rank to 2018).
• While there was an overall decrease in sales (~111,000 kg) of medically important antimicrobials, there was a 16% increase (537 kg) in the sales of Category I antimicrobials between 2018 and 2019.
• Compounders represented 5% (50,491 kg) of the total kg of active ingredients reported:
• The majority of antimicrobials sold by compounders were Category II and III (98%). The top classes reported were diaminopyrimidine-sulfonamide combinations, sulfonamides and penicillins.
• Approximately 1% of the total sales were Category I (very high importance) antimicrobials.
• On average, 88% of the total kg reported to be compounded were intended for use in pigs.

Animal species information

• In 2018 and 2019, the majority (kg) of antimicrobials sold were intended for use in pigs, cattle, poultry and aquaculture.
• Adjusting for the number of animals and weights, the ranking becomes:
• 2019: pigs, poultry, cattle and aquaculture
• 2018: pigs, poultry, aquaculture and cattle
• When we further compare animal species information across reporting years (adjusted for animals and weights):
• 2019 sales for pigs, poultry and aquaculture decreased from 2018.
• 2019 sales for cattle, horses, companion animals and small ruminants increased from 2018.

Information on route of administration

• The majority of sales by route of administration were comparable for 2018 and 2019, with 92% of antimicrobials sold by volume intended for use via feed or water.
• Overall breakdown of sales by route of administration:
• Feed (premix) (74%)
• Water (18%)
• Injection (4%)
• Other routes (3%)
• Oral (other) (2%)

Regional information

• Similar to 2018, the largest volume of antimicrobials sold in 2019 for use in animals by manufacturers and importers were reported to be in Ontario, Alberta, Québec, Manitoba and British Columbia; which are the major food animal-producing provinces.
• In both 2018 and 2019, the breakdown of the quantities of antimicrobials reported to be compounded for use in animals was mainly in Québec (57%), Ontario (21%) and Manitoba (13%). There may be subsequent distribution of antimicrobials across provincial borders after being compounded, hence caution should be applied when interpreting the provincial quantities of antimicrobials compounded.