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Rise in Augmentin adverse reaction reports
medical
GlaxoSmithKline said that it has not altered the manufacture of the product and it is not aware of any batch defects.
Practices encouraged to report all adverse events to the VMD

There has been a significant rise is the number of adverse reaction reports relating to Augmentin Intravenous Powder for Solution for Injection, according to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

In a letter to Veterinary Record (Vol. 176, No. 23) Gillian Diesel from the VMD said that over the past three months, the organisation has seen a 'significantly higher' number of reports relating to Augmentin.

"They all involved hypersensitivity reactions, including allergic oedema, urticaria and allergic pruritus," writes Gillian.

"We notified veterinary practices of a similar issue in 2011 concerning Co-amoxiclav, which also contains amoxicillin and clavulanate."

Augmentin is authorised for use in humans and is authorised for use by veterinary surgeons under the cascade system. It is not authorised for use in animals, so no safety or efficacy studies have been carried out relating to its use in animals.

The VMD spoke to the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulator Agency (MHRA).

GlaxoSmithKline said that it has not altered the manufacture of the product and is not aware of any batch defects. They asked some practices to send them samples of a batch for testing, which confirmed that the product was within manufacturing specifications.

GlaxoSmithKline and the MHRA also said they were not aware of a rise in the number of reactions or reports from humans relating to the product.

"We would like to encourage practices to report all adverse events to the VMD using our online reporting form," added Gillian.

"As Augmentin is not authorised for use in animals, GlaxoSmithKline has no obligation to investigate these case or report them to the VMD.

"We would also like to remind vets that any human adverse reactions to authorised human medicines should be report to the MHRA."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.