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Safety concerns over fenbendazole in pigeons
Fenbendazole has a low margin of safety for pigeons and overdose is likely have severe consequences.
Drug can no longer be used in pigeons under Schedule 6  

The anthelmintic drug fenbendazole can no longer be used in pigeons under Schedule 6 of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, the VMD has announced.

Peer-reviewed research has indicated that fenbendazole has a low margin of safety for pigeons and overdose is likely have severe consequences. These include low white blood cell count, damage to the rapidly dividing cells of the crop and small intestinal epithelium and, ultimately, death.

As a result the VMD has concluded that fenbendazole must only be used in pigeons under the direction of a veterinary surgeon and should no longer be exempt from the provisions of Schedule 6.

From 15 July 2019, fenbendazole products that list pigeons as the only target species must cease to be manufactured. Products that target a number of species must no longer list pigeons as a target species in the product literature.

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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.