Livestock Drug Program
The Livestock Drug Program regulates over-the-counter livestock drugs. A program Registration Specialist reviews the livestock drugs for safety and efficacy. Particularly, livestock drugs intended for food production animals should be used in a way as not to cause a drug residue in food products derived from these animals. Fees are collected for licensing and registration to fund this program. Federal prescription drugs are exempt from registration.
Industry Notice: Hemp and CBD Products
Hemp and CBD Notice to IndustryCertain antimicrobial restricted livestock drugs changed status on January 1, 2018 to require a prescription for purchase and use in California. CDFA has published final regulations clarifying new retailer requirements to sell restricted livestock drugs, including products that now require a prescription in California. Pursuant to the new regulations, these products are now defined as California prescription drugs. The adopted regulation text and final statement of reasons can be found at: /is/Regulations.
Please reference the documents below for more information about important changes to how these products can be sold. Additional resources will be posted as they become available.
- Letter to Restricted Livestock Drug Licensed Retailers
- What Does a Retailer Need to Do to Sell California Prescription Drugs?
- What is Required to Become a Livestock Drug Qualified Individual?
- Restricted Livestock Drug Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- List of Restricted Livestock Drugs – No Prescription Required
- List of California Prescription Drugs
For more information about medically important antimicrobial drugs, please visit the Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship website.
Livestock Drug Qualified Individual Training
The Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) program is updating the Qualified Individual (QI) training to be available as a bilingual online course for increased accessibility for participants. The online course is set to be available by the end of Summer of 2019. If AUS plans to schedule another in-person training, information will be found on this web page. If you would like to be emailed any updates, please contact us at AUS_Regulations@cdfa.ca.gov.