Because the government must maintain direct control over everything we consume, the FDA is now set to ban access to over-the-counter antiobiotic medications. Such medications, classified as veterinary antibiotics, are often used by pet owners to treat bacterial infections in fish and livestock. For those preparing for a breakdown of emergency services in the event of widespread disaster where hospitals may be closed down and medical personnel unavailable, the banning of these drugs means that preppers can no longer purchase these medications over the counter and outside of view of prying surveillance state eyes.

Starting January 1, 2017, the equivalent of a veterinary prescription will be required for certain OTC antibiotics.

James Rawles reports via Survival Blog:

Many preppers store antibiotics for fish or livestock water/feed medications over the counter (OTC). As of January 1st, 2017 this will come to an end as livestock producers will be required to get a VFD (veterinary feed directive) from a veterinarian to obtain these antibiotics. I don’t want to go into the specific differences but think of it as a prescription.

For anyone  wanting antibiotics I would recommend getting some before the first of the year.
I am a mixed animal vet in  the Ozarks. –  E.E.

JWR Adds: A full list of drugs transitioning on January 1st from OTC to VFD status can bee seen in this FDA PDF. As news about this upcoming law change spreads, we can surely expect to see shortages at farm and ranch stores, and from mailorder vendors.  Stock up.  Several of our advertisers sell veterinary antibiotics at competitive prices. Please give them your patronage, and mention SurvivalBlog, when you do.

In a serious emergency, or even an economic collapse like we saw in Greece several years ago, lifesaving medicines may become totally inaccessible to the general population.

The Prepper’s Blueprint author Tess Pennington explains the importance of these medicines for preparedness in her article Antibiotics for SHTF Planning:

Having this medicine on hand in extended emergencies can help prevent infections or even save a life.

Fish antibiotics are also becoming popular storage items among preppers because no prescription is required to purchase them.

Antibiotics are an essential preparedness item to have on hand for extended disasters; however, they should be taken when they are needed the most. Understanding the differences between the different antibiotic families, knowing the effects they can have on the body as well as knowing which antibiotics would be best for specific medical conditions will help you make the right choice when comes to buying them.

Full report: Antibiotics for SHTF Planning

If you have not yet put antibiotic medicines in your preparedness supplies we encourage you to do so before January 1st. While not all OTC medications are being restricted, pet stores are now making it more difficult to acquire in large quantity without raising suspicion (such as buying 5 bottles for your “aquarium”) and it is likely only a matter of time  before those antibiotics not on the above list are included in the VFD Drug requirements.