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Collaborative strategy to eradicate TB in England
Sick person in hospital
"Our goal is to eliminate TB as a public health problem."
PHE and NHS announce action plan to tackle high rates of TB

NHS England and Public Health England (PHE) are to invest £11.5 million as part of a joint initiative to reduce TB cases and ultimately eliminate TB as a public health problem in the country.

There were over 7,000 TB cases reported in England during 2013 - a staggering 13.5 cases per 100,000 of the population. The UK has the second highest rate of TB among Western European countries, and rates are almost five times higher than in the US.

Public Health minister Jane Ellison, said: "This strategy is a significant step forward in helping us to control and reduce cases of TB, which still affects thousands of people in England every year.

"It will target those most vulnerable to TB by improving access to screening, diagnostic and treatment services as well as innovative outreach programmes such as the ‘Find & Treat’ mobile health units. Last year I saw the first of these fantastic units at work and am delighted that the team launched their second mobile health unit earlier today."

The TB strategy was developed following a three month consultation which included responses from over 100 different stakeholders. The 10-point action plan will include improving access and early diagnosis, better treatment, diagnostic and care services, tackling TB in under-served groups and improved screening and treatment of new migrants for latent TB infection.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS England’s medical director, said: "This is an important strategy which is why NHS England is committing £10 million towards tackling the high rates of TB incidence in England. This money will focus on TB screening and any subsequent treatment. Our goal is to eliminate TB as a public health problem."

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.