With leading medical authorities warning that public health is threatened by a “post-antibiotic future,” a panel of state lawmakers received testimony Tuesday from organizations representing Oregon doctors, nurses, farmers and consumers in support of legislation [pdf] to curtail the overuse of these critical medicines on Oregon farm animals. If the proposed bill is approved by lawmakers, Oregon would become the first state to act on this matter, according to OSPIRG, which sent the following news release on the legislation:
“Most Oregonians have relied on antibiotics to treat an illness, from strep throat to the side-effects of cancer,” said Dave Rosenfeld, executive director of the consumer group OSPIRG, “These medicines are at risk, and we need to act fast to protect them.” Read More