IFAH report highlights obstacles to veterinary medicine.

A recent report from the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) has reported that European regulatory processes are proving a barrier to innovation when it comes to developing new veterinary medicines.

The IFAH represents the manufacturers of veterinary medicines and its report, called Benchmarking the Competitiveness of the Global Animal Health Industry, presents the results of a survey of animal health companies conducted last year.

A key point of concern from the European companies is the lack of progress in harmonising regulatory processes since the last survey was carried out in 2006. The report points towards "serious disquiet with the current regulatory frameworks" and a number of issues were cited as "serious barriers" to continued innovation and the progress of industry in the EU.

Managing director of IFAH, Declan O'Brien, said: "The costs associated with adhering to the regulatory processes are impacting the animal health industry in Europe with the direct result that there is less innovation and fewer new products in the pipeline."

He added: "A harmonised approach through a true single EU market with reduced administrative burden via the 1-1-1- concept [one dossier, one European scientific assessment, one decision for a marketing authorisation] is the only solution to ensuring the competitiveness of the animal health industry in Europe."

Download the full report here.