Reprinted with permission of FDA Consumer magazine

Nearly a century ago, farmers had a medicine chest of products to “cure” their animals, with names such as Lee’s Gizzard Capsules, Liquid Hog Medicine, and Kow-Kure. The gizzard capsules, made with nicotine, were advertised to get rid of worms in turkeys. Liquid Hog Medicine, which contained lye, was for treating diarrhea in pigs. And Kow-Kure, whose exact ingredients remain a mystery, purported to prevent miscarriages in cows.

No one knew whether these products were actually safe or effective, but all were allowed on the market under the federal drug laws at the time.

Such products went by the wayside as Congress passed stronger drug laws, and today, the regulation of animal drugs closely parallels the regulation of human drugs. Like human drugs, all animal drugs must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being allowed on the market. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is responsible for regulating drugs and food additives used for animals–both food-producing animals and family pets