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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 31st August 2023
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BCGA releases guide addressing gas supply concerns
The leaflet explains the basic checks that purchasers should carry out when selecting medical gas cylinders.

The advice is for those purchasing single cylinders of medical gases.

The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has published guidance to support veterinary practices with choosing medical gas cylinder suppliers.

Technical Sub-Committee 7 (TSC7), the BCGA’s specialist subcommittee for medical gases, has produced leaflet 22, entitled ‘Medical Gases. Selecting a Medical Gas Cylinder Supplier’, which is available for download on the BCGA website.

The leaflet explains the basic checks that purchasers should carry out when selecting medical gas cylinders, ensuring it is legitimate, for medical use and is supplied by an authorised supplier.

Medical oxygen should only be supplied by manufacturers and wholesale dealers with the appropriate licence issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The gas cylinder suppliers must hold a Wholesale Dealer’s Licence (WDA(H) from the MHRA to manufacture and supply gas in cylinders.

The advice is particularly directed to veterinary practices, dentists and First Aid responders, who may buy cylinders individually.

The guidance follows a recall of medical oxygen tanks after the MHRA found that several dental practices across the UK had been supplied with falsified medical oxygen.

The supplier of the oxygen, Tricodent Limited, is now part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Full details of the recall, published 6 June 2023, can be found here.

The BCGA asks that any defective or falsified medical items are reported on their Yellow Card Scheme website.

Jake Lake, BCGA technical manager, said: “The MHRA has issued a recall notice for the falsified medicines and has also requested BCGA provide suitable guidance to help purchasers identify bona fide, licensed suppliers.
 
“As a result, TSC7 has produced Leaflet 22, ‘Medical Gases. Selecting A Medical Gas Cylinder Supplier.’
 
“Medical gases are classified as medicines and can only be provided by bona fide companies, including those in BCGA membership, who have the appropriate licences, which are issued by the UK Regulator, the MHRA.”

The leaflet can be downloaded from the BCGA’s Publication area here.

 

Image © Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.