There are no accurate figures on antibiotic use in Canada for humans or livestock, says Agriculture Canada microbiologist Tim McAllister.
However, per capita use could potentially be higher in humans than in livestock.
McAllister was one of four speakers at a March 21 information session organized by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
His rough estimates show Canadians were prescribed 197,000 kilograms of antibiotics of all kinds last year, while livestock were given 1.6 million kg.
There are 34.5 million people in Canada and 650 million livestock, so human consumption of antibiotics per capita could be roughly four times that of livestock.
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Of course, not every Canadian is prescribed an antibiotic every year and not every animal receives them either, said McAllister, but the point is that antibiotic use in livestock is one part of a complex scenario surrounding bacterial resistance.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent, and last week the Ontario Medical Association issued a report calling attention to the problem. It said infections involving these bacteria are becoming more frequent and more difficult to treat.
It said farmers should not be allowed to use antibiotics in livestock feed without a veterinary prescription and should not be allowed to import antibiotics for their own on-farm use on their animals.
“The current practice allows for unsupervised, unscientific and ultimately dangerous application of important medications,” said one recommendation.
Eric Brown, chair of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University, agreed that the evolution of “superbugs” is a growing concern in human health.
He called for “more reasonable use” of antibiotics in all sectors.
Brown said the discovery of effective antibiotics from the 1940s to the 1960s resulted in complacency that bred a waning interest in finding new antibiotics. Only a few companies continue to develop them, he added.
Expense is also a major hindrance. Frank Schweizer, associate professor in microbiology at the University of Manitoba, said it costs $1.7 billion to develop an antibiotic and 10 to 12 years to complete clinical trials.
Patent life is 20 years, so by the time a drug goes on the market, half the patent life is gone and companies must charge high prices to recoup costs and make a profit. Antibiotics are typically prescribed for only short periods, which Schweizer said provides an even less attractive return on investment.
