Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2005

The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2005 (S. 742) aims to protect the effectiveness of human antibiotics by restricting their use in healthy livestock. The bill would require drug manufacturers to prove that using "critical" antibiotics in food-producing animals for non-medical purposes—such as promoting faster growth or preventing disease in crowded conditions—does not contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans.

If enacted, the legislation would phase out the routine, non-therapeutic use of these drugs within two years unless they are proven safe for human health. To support the transition, the bill provides financial assistance to small and family-owned farms to help cover the costs of reducing drug use and funds research at universities to develop alternative farming practices. For citizens, the bill is intended to ensure that essential medicines remain effective for treating human infections by slowing the rise of "superbugs" linked to agricultural practices.