All articles tagged with #pet medications
Zoetis Inc. experienced a significant drop in its stock value following a news report raising safety concerns about the company's arthritis drugs for animals, leading to the biggest intraday decline in 17 months and positioning it as one of the worst performers in the S&P 500 Index on Friday.
Americans are resorting to taking medications prescribed for their pets, including antibiotics and painkillers, in order to save money on prescriptions. This practice has raised concerns among doctors, who warn of potential organ damage and even death due to the risks involved. The cost of pet medications is significantly lower than human equivalents, leading some individuals to use their pets' prescriptions to self-treat various conditions. However, this practice is illegal and poses serious health risks, as animal medications may contain components harmful to humans and may not effectively treat human health issues.
The FDA has issued warnings to nine makers and distributors of pet medications, cautioning that their antimicrobial treatments could contribute to resistance in medications used to treat infectious diseases in humans. The agency stated that these unapproved animal drugs pose a risk to public health as they have not undergone FDA review and their safety and effectiveness are unknown. The use of these drugs could lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance, affecting both human and animal health. The FDA urged pet owners to dispose of these products and consult a licensed veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.