Mahendra Pal^1,, Motuma Regassa², Tesfaye Rabuma³, Ravindra Zende⁴, Dhwani Upadhyay⁵, Nidhi Panicker⁴

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has public health and economic implications and has emerged as one of the leading public health threats in the world. It is estimated that bacterial antimicrobial resistance caused around 1.27 million human deaths globally in 2019. The overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants are primarily responsible for the development of drug-resistant pathogens. AMR affects different countries regardless of income levels. The drivers and consequences of AMR are aggravated by poverty and inequality, affecting low- and middle-income countries the most. Antimicrobial resistance can occur when the parent compounds, their metabolites, and associated impurities of veterinary drugs in present in any edible portion of an animal product. It can result in severe consequences for humans if the concentration level consumed is higher than the standard residue limits. Residues of veterinary medicines are defined as pharmacologically active substances, principles, or degradation products and their metabolites that remain in animal-origin food obtained from animals that have been administered medicine. This review indicates the occurrence and public health impacts of antimicrobial and drug resistance. The most frequent reasons why antibiotic residues might be found in animal-derived food are overuse of antibiotics, negligence in observing withdrawal periods, and incorrect dosage forms. If antibiotics are used as "insurance" against disease-related livestock losses, misuse of antibiotics and the presence of antibiotic residues in food products can be difficult to control. These kinds of situations are common in many poor countries, where the need for antibiotics rises due to the incidence of infectious diseases. Products made from animals that have these residues in them may cause hypersensitivity reactions, bone marrow depression, cancer, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and disturbance of normal gut flora. They may also cause increased resistance to antibiotic treatments. Therefore, adherence to strict withdrawal timings and guidelines is necessary to guarantee that animal products are safe for human consumption.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobials, Antimicrobial resistance, Food chain, Public health