G L H, Incorporated
2900 NE 46th Street
Lighthouse Point, FL 33064-7267
954-783-9819
954-783-9235 (fax)
Date: November 30, 2003
To: State Regulators and Drug Residue Database Providers
From: Ginger Levin, Project Manager, National Milk Drug Residue Database Project (NMDRD)
During the 1991 meeting of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) the voting delegates authorized a national program for compiling the results of drug residue testing by industry and state regulatory agencies. We are rapidly approaching the 10th anniversary of the NMDRD. In addition to the substantial changes to the milk industry, which have occurred over the past 10 years, there have also been the inevitable changes in personnel especially at the state regulatory level.
Our experience suggested it might be advisable to reissue and reinforce the reporting requirements because of the above changes. The need to do so was confirmed by audits we made of state programs last summer at the request of FDA.
The audit project was helpful in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the program. We were pleasantly surprised with how well the respective states were doing. While there were some deficiencies, corrective action was taken promptly. We also found some excellent procedures to be in place, which we can use as recommendations when the need arises.
The audits included discussions of a number of reporting issues with industry and state regulatory officials, which lend themselves to a Question and Answer (Q and A) format that is being appended to the instructions. By combining the instructions and Q and A, we hope to more fully meet the goal of the project, which was to capture and report all the drug residue testing being performed by the milk industry and state regulatory officials.
As a final note it is the end of the reporting year, and participants are reminded that all data up to and including September 2003, are due now for inclusion in the FY 03 Summary Report. These data should be sent to Mrs. Cynthia M. Petersen, GLH, Inc., 30 Ahl Avenue, Albany, NY 12205; e-mail cpetersen@nycap.rr.com. This is the most important reporting date of the year because we need to analyze all the data and begin preparation of the annual report.
Thanks again for your cooperation in the program. Please feel free to call me at 954-783-9819 or send me an e-mail to ginlevin@aol.com should you have any questions. You may also contact our Technical Director, Dennis Tidwell, at 609-890-0375; e-mail Dwtidwell@aol.com.
Sincerely,
Ginger Levin, D.P.A.
Project Manager
Attachments:
1. Instructions for Submitting Data for the NMDRD
3. Definitions