Concerns over rise in ‘anti-vax’ remedies online
“We are very concerned to see unlicensed, potentially dangerous and ineffective treatments being sold online."
Millions of dogs and cats are said to be at risk from a rise in the number of ‘anti-vaccination’ remedies being sold online.
A recent Sunday Telegraph investigation revealed misleading claims that products made from the diseased flesh of animals could offer immunity from fatal conditions.
Online retail giant Amazon last week agreed to remove advertisements for such products, which are known as ‘homeopathic nosodes’.
According to The Telegraph, these treatments included Herpes Combination 50mg, which was described online as offering immunity to litters of puppies if tablets are administered to pregnant mothers.
Vets and animal welfare charities have raised concerns that owners opting for homeopathic remedies instead of vaccines could cause a rise in serious preventable diseases such as parvovirus and leptospirosis.
“This is truly frightening,” veterinary surgeon Danny Chambers told The Telegraph. “Safe and effective vaccines exist for these diseases. Using unregulated and scientifically implausible remedies bought from Amazon will leave your pet with no protection and at a high risk of contracting them.”
RSPCA veterinary director Caroline Allen added: “We are very concerned to see unlicensed, potentially dangerous and ineffective treatments being sold online and would urge people to report these products to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
“While there does seem to be an increasing amount of ‘anti-vax’ material online, this is not supported by a genuine evidence base.”
After being alerted to the Telegraph’s findings, a Defra spokesperson said: “It is illegal to sell products making false medicinal claims and we work closely with companies such as Amazon to stop this. We will bring these products to their attention immediately.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
