Neglected ecological and health risks associated with the use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine: A mini-review

Abstract

There is sufficient scientific evidence to support that residues of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administered to livestock raised in the open, can cause fatal renal crystallization in vultures' species, and perhaps other birds such as eagles, if treated animals enter the trophic chain. This phenomenon caused the population of vultures to decline sharply, on the brink of extinction, in India, Pakistan, Tibet, and many countries in the Middle East. For this reason, except for Spain, this medication has been prohibited for veterinary use in the rest of Europe, the United States of America, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries. In contrast, in Latin America, diclofenac is available for veterinary use in various preparations alone or combined with antibacterial drugs. The precise impact this is generating on the native species of vultures and other birds that feed on animals that die in open pastures and are not incinerated is unknown. Given the nature of our livestock production via small producers and extensive farming, most animals medicated with this NSAID can enter the natural food chain and become part of the vulture diet. Most researchers who have studied this ecological problem have recommended that countries adhere to the precautionary principle of prohibiting its sale until there is concrete evidence of the magnitude of the damage that the permissive use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine may cause in Latin America. In Mexico, the official standard NOM-064-ZOO-2000, Lineamientos para la clasificación y prescripción de los productos farmacéuticos veterinarios por el nivel de riesgo de sus ingredientes activos, recommends incinerating animals treated with diclofenac, a command that does not fit our daily reality. The question is: shall Latin American countries remain inactive despite a hitherto invisible ecological disaster? Research in Latin America needs to be carried out that supports or rejects the possible impact of diclofenac on wild species, including vultures. However, many countries on the continent, including Mexico, have adhered to the 11th Declaration of Rio for Sustainable Development in the 21st century. Based on this, we propose that action should be taken without delay to avoid or limit an ecological disaster by banning diclofenac in veterinary medicine.