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June 3, 1998

THOMPSON TO MANAGE CVM ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE EFFORTS

Dr. Sharon R. Thompson, a Veterinary Medical Officer in FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), has been appointed to the newly created position of Associate Director for Veterinary Medical and International Affairs. In this capacity, Dr. Thompson will be responsible for managing and coordinating national and international activities on antimicrobial resistance related to drug therapy in food animals. She will lead CVM's efforts to develop an overall strategy to define scientifically-based standards for the regulation of antimicrobial products. She will also lead the Center's initiative to promote the prudent use of antimicrobials in food animals. Dr. Thompson will continue to provide direction to the Center's international activities. Dr. Thompson currently serves as FDA's representative to the Veterinary International Cooperation on Harmonization (VICH) Steering Committee.

Since 1992, Dr. Thompson has been a Special Assistant to the Center Director, concentrating in the area of international affairs. In her new role, she will work with experts, both within and outside the Agency, to address issues involving antimicrobial products for animals. She will serve as FDA's spokesperson and authoritative source of information and advice on matters related to this issue. Dr. Thompson will also serve as the official liaison to other government agencies and foreign and domestic organizations working in this area.

CVM is concerned that the use of antimicrobial drugs in food animals will create antimicrobial drug resistance that could contribute to drug-resistant human pathogens. However, CVM believes that there is legitimate need for older as well as newer antimicrobial drugs in animal agriculture. CVM views developing criteria or standards for regulating these products to address the emerging concerns about antimicrobial resistance as the Center's top priority. CVM expects that these efforts will help create a stable regulatory environment for these products.

Center Director Stephen Sundlof said, "I am very pleased that Dr. Thompson has agreed to take on this new role. Her experience in the international arena dealing with complex regulatory issues will be invaluable in helping CVM to formulate a consistent science-based strategy to address this important issue."


Issued by:
FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine,
Communications Staff, HFV-12
7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (240) 276-9300 FAX: (240) 276-9115
Internet Web Site: http://www.fda.gov/cvm

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