Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

EMA report shows fall in sales of veterinary antimicrobials
Sales of veterinary antimicrobials across Europe fell by more than 20 per cent between 2011 and 2016.
Use of polymyxins in food-producing animals down 40 per cent

Overall sales of veterinary antimicrobials across Europe fell by more than 20 per cent between 2011 and 2016, according to figures published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The figures, taken from the EMA’s eighth annual report on sales of veterinary antibiotics, show a drop of almost 40 per cent in sales of polymyxins. This particular class of antibiotics includes colistin, a last resort treatment in patients with bacterial infections resistant to other antibiotics.

They also show there was a significant fall in sales of third and fourth generation cephalosporins (15.4 per cent) and quinolines (13.6 per cent).

The results form part of the EMA’s report of the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption (ESVAC) project. This presents sales data for the year 2016 and records annual changes in the consumption of veterinary antimicrobials dating back to 2010.

Thirty countries from across the EU and the European Economic Area submitted data on sales of veterinary antimicrobials for 2016. Of these, 25 EU member states provided figures for the period between 2011 and 2016.

The EMA attributes the results to the combined efforts of the European Commission, EMA, EU Member States, veterinary surgeons, farmers and other players in the livestock sector.

‘EU guidance together with national campaigns for prudent use of antibiotics in animals, sales targets and restriction of use of some antimicrobials in food-producing animals are among the actions implemented to reduce the sales of veterinary antimicrobials across Europe under the umbrella of the EU One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance,’ said an EMA spokesperson.

‘Led by the European Commission, the overarching goal of this plan is to preserve the possibility of effective treatment of infections in humans and animals through a framework for continued, more extensive action to reduce the emergence and spread of AMR.’

While the report shows that 25 EU member states saw a decrease in sales of veterinary antimicrobials, it also shows the situation is not consistent across Europe. Six of the 25 countries recorded an increase of more than five per cent in sales during the same period.

The EMA notes that, given the marked fall in the sales of antimicrobials seen in some countries, there is also a potential for a decrease of antimicrobial use in other countries, especially in those with high consumption.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.