Chewy Receives FDA Warning for Illegally Selling Pet Drugs

The agency warned eight other companies that their actions could worsen antimicrobial resistance.

The Food and Drug Agency (FDA) is warning nine animal care companies against using illegal antimicrobials in their products, according to a notice on Thursday.

These antibiotic products for animals such as aquarium fish and birds are illegally being sold over-the-counter, and are only legally accessible through a prescription from a veterinarian. They contain amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin, among other drugs.

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Among the companies the FDA named is Chewy, a popular service that sells pet supplies, food, treats and toys online. It saw tremendous success over the COVID-19 pandemic, with some of that momentum carrying on. The company reported more than $10 billion in revenue in 2022.

'These unapproved animal drugs pose a two-fold risk to public health,' said Tracey Forfa, J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. 'First, these products haven't been through the FDA drug review process, and we don't know whether they're safe or effective, or even contain what the label states.

By using unapproved drugs, not only does an animal owner risk further harming their pet, delaying proper treatment may also contribute to growing antimicrobial resistance, along with the harm that comes from delaying proper treatment.

'Second, inappropriate use of medically important antimicrobials contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which affects both human and animal health,' Forfa continued.

The notice says that they are only accessible from a veterinarian because they have training in what drugs will be best to treat a specific problem in an animal, and 'judicious use of antimicrobials reduces the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance and helps ensure better health outcomes.'

The FDA is advising people using any of the products mentioned in the warning letters to get rid of them. The companies have 15 days to respond to the warning letters with information about how they will address the FDA's concerns. Along with Chewy, companies that have received warnings from the agency include: