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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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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.