Medicines on Animal Health, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Public Health

1- Quality Issues and Counterfeiting in Veterinary Medicines

Counterfeit veterinary medicines constitute a significant problem in the livestock sector; these products increase animal mortality and lead to treatment failure and the development of antimicrobial resistance. In one study, the majority of participating veterinarians had not received adequate training on counterfeit medicines and reported gaps in knowledge on this issue. In professional practice, 36.5% demonstrated good performance, 44% moderate performance, and 19.5% low performance. Veterinarians primarily attempt to identify counterfeit medicines through visual inspection, observation of adverse effects, and lack of therapeutic efficacy (1). The study also found that most participants avoid distributing illegally imported medicines and routinely compare the batch or serial numbers of purchased products with the information on invoices. However, the rate of reporting counterfeit medicine incidents to regulatory authorities remains low, with approximately 70% of participants not reporting such cases. Coordination with regulatory bodies was also found to be insufficient, which further complicates efforts to prevent counterfeit medicines from entering the market. In conclusion, providing targeted training for veterinarians on counterfeit medicines, strengthening communication and coordination, and activating effective reporting mechanisms are of critical importance (1).

Figure 1: Counterfeit drugs. This visual was generated using artificial intelligence by Enes Bilgiçer.

2- Impacts on Animal Health

Findings obtained between 1981 and 2021 indicate that approximately 6.5% of

veterinary medicines consist of counterfeit or substandard products. More than half of the analyzed samples failed quality control tests; the main reasons identified include insufficient levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), incorrect formulation, use of inappropriate APIs, and technical deficiencies in the manufacturing process. Low API content not only reduces therapeutic efficacy but also leads to delayed recovery in animals, economic losses for producers, and particularly in the case of antibiotics the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This situation has become, and will continue to be, a significant issue that threatens both veterinary medical practice and public health on a global scale (2,3,4).

Figure 2: İmpact of animal health This visual was generated using artificial intelligence by Enes Bilgiçer.

3- Contribution to Antimicrobial Resistance

Counterfeit veterinary medicines are most frequently encountered among antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs, with a large proportion of oxytetracycline and diminazene

samples failing quality control tests. Medicines containing incorrect or insufficient amounts of active ingredients lead to treatment failures while simultaneously accelerating

the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Incorrectly dosed and counterfeit products pose a threat not only to animal health but also to environmental and

food safety. The prevalence of counterfeit medicines is further exacerbated by inadequate inspection systems, limited regulatory capacity, and the growth of online pharmaceutical trade. Therefore, effective monitoring of veterinary medicines, strengthening field-based reporting mechanisms, and enhancing coordination among regulatory authorities are of critical importance in the fight against AMR (6).

Figure 3: İmpact of Human health. This visual was generated using artificial intelligence by Enes Bilgiçer.

4- Public Health Risks

Animals and humans share many common pathogens, and approximately 60% of newly

emerging human infectious diseases identified between 1940 and 2004 are of animal origin (6,7). The One Health approach emphasizes the importance of multisectoral collaboration to manage risks arising from human–animal–environment interactions and to strengthen global health security (8). Ensuring the quality of veterinary medicines is a key component in achieving this goal. Substandard or falsified (SF) veterinary medicines have serious adverse effects on agricultural production, livestock farming, trade, nutrition, and food safety (9,10). In particular, counterfeit antibiotics with low active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) content or poor bioavailability lead to inadequate plasma concentrations and result in subtherapeutic effects. This situation allows animal pathogens to be exposed to antibiotics without being fully eliminated, thereby accelerating the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Emerging resistant pathogens can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, the food chain, or environmental pathways (11). Nevertheless, studies examining the impact of SF medicines on AMR, and the relative importance of this impact compared with other resistance-driving factors, remain limited (12,13).

Figure 4: Risks of public health. This visual was generated using artificial intelligence by Enes Bilgiçer.

5- Prevention and Regulatory Strategies

The data indicate a substantial lack of information regarding the quality of veterinary medicines, particularly in high-income countries and in online sales. The

high failure rates observed in quality control tests highlight the need for robust prevention and regulatory strategies at the global level. In this context, strengthening quality control

throughout the supply chain, enhancing cooperation among regulatory authorities, and

implementing stricter oversight of online sales are of great importance (5).

Figure 5: Arrangements made. This visual was generated using artificial intelligence by Enes Bilgiçer.

6- Conclusion

Substandard and potentially counterfeit veterinary medicines pose a serious threat to global public health by compromising animal health, reducing economic productivity, and

particularly accelerating the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To effectively address this problem, it is critically important to enhance veterinarians’ education on counterfeit medicines, activate and strengthen reporting mechanisms, and improve communication among regulatory authorities. Increasing quality control throughout the supply chain and strengthening the oversight of online sales are vital steps to prevent these products from entering the market and to protect human, animal, and environmental health within the framework of the One Health approach. 

Approved by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilay Seyidoğlu.

This topic was presented orally by Enes Bilgiçer at the 10th International Veterinary and Animal Sciences Congress.

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