EMA: Reflection paper on the risk of antimicrobial resistance transfer from companion animals

Antimicrobials are important tools for the therapy of infectious bacterial diseases in companion animals. Loss of efficacy of antimicrobial substances can seriously compromise animal health and welfare. Necessity of new antimicrobials for the therapy of multi-resistant infections, particularly those caused by Gram-negative bacteria has been acknowledged in human medicine. A corresponding need in veterinary medicine is to be expected in the near future.