Representing the Manufacturers of Animal Medicines
National Office of Animal Health Limited
A Member of FEDESA, the European Federation of Animal Health and COMISA, representative
body of the Worldwide Animal Health Industry
European Elections, June 1999
A message to UK candidates
NOAH mission and the role of the animal health industry
The National Office of Animal Health represents the UK animal medicine
industry whose aim is to provide safe, effective, quality medicines for the treatment and
welfare of all animals.
The association currently has 34 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for nearly 95%
of the £384 million UK animal health market. NOAH is a founder member of FEDESA (the European Federation for Animal
Health).
Animals Need Medicines Too
Animal medicines are fundamental for the well-being of European
animals, and part of the solution to provide safe and affordable European food.
Also, as more pet owners seek specialist care for their animals and
advances in both medical and surgical technology continue, the prospects for a healthy,
happy companion animal population have never been better. More animals than ever can look
forward to a long and healthy life and pet owners to a longer and more fulfilling
relationship with their pet.
That is good news for us as well as our animals. A healthy animal
population helps to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases, which can affect both animals
and humans. Salmonella and rabies are well known examples.
Medicine availability: threatened by EU regulation
EU law rightly requires that each animal medicine is licensed before it
can be sold. In order to develop and maintain animal medicines on the market, companies
need a science based, predictable approval process for products. NOAH recognises the need
for a stringent licensing system to ensure safety for animals, people who use the
medicines, the environment and the consumers of livestock produce. Yet over-regulation is
stifling the industry; escalating costs and requirements are forcing long-standing
products off the market: unpredictability is preventing investment in the medicines of the
future, particularly for the farming sector.
In a survey conducted by FEDESA, 67% of senior regulators believed the
existing system has damaged product availability for minor species or the treatment of
uncommon diseases. 94% want reform of the rules for old products and active substances.
FEDESA has also reported that, thanks to the additional burden of
regulation on medicines for food animals, 70% of international research funding is
now being directed at pet products.
NOAH looks forward to working with the UK Members of the European
Parliament, to reform the regulatory framework so that all animals can have access to the
best prevention and treatment of disease.
Distribution of Animal Medicines
In the next 5 years there are likely to be proposals from the
Commission to harmonise the system of animal medicine distribution. Britain's highly
regarded distribution system is at risk from other countries which insist that medicines
should be sold only on prescription.
The British system requires potent medicines, demanding professional
diagnosis, to be sold only on prescription, but allows specified medicines to be sold by
Government registered animal health distributors. This practice, which is widely
supported, permits the users of medicines practical access to the products they need to
protect their animals, and encourages competition.
Monopolies are anti-competitive. Restrictive distribution systems often
lead to black markets.
We seek support of MEPs to allow the proven British distribution
system for animal medicines to remain in place.
Antibiotics for animals
Antibiotic use in animals is
not seen by experts as a major contributor to human antibiotic resistance problems. The World
Health Organisation's Berlin Conference in November 1997 reported that the tragic growth
of antibiotic resistance in human medicine was 'primarily' due to over-use and misuse in
human medicine around the world - a view echoed by the House of Lords select Committee on
Science and Technology in 1998.
In addition, a group of leading scientists, including Nobel
prizewinners, working under the auspices of the Heidelberg Appeal Nederland Foundation,
has published a further independent assessment of the issue which finds no link between
animal use and human resistance.
Nevertheless the international animal health industry and its
veterinary and farming colleagues, recognise the concerns over antibiotic resistance in
humans and acknowledge their responsibility in this area. A wide scale monitoring
programme and review is currently being conducted through the European Commission of all
antibiotic digestive enhancers, although its future is threatened by the EU ban on four
active ingredients.
Moreover, our industry has long recognised that it has a role to play
in reducing the need for antibiotics usage. In 1996 FEDESA published its Code of
Practice on the Responsible Use of Antibiotics. In autumn 1997 the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA),
was established to promote the highest standards of food safety, animal health and animal
welfare in British livestock farming. Representatives of RUMA
have met with the Commission: the initiative is being seen as a model that could be used
in other EU member states.
These moves have taken on a global importance with the publication this
year of 'Joint Guidelines on the Prudent Use of Antibiotics in Animals', where the world
organisations for farmers, veterinarians and the animal health industry committed to new
global principles. These principles will be carried through to daily practice.
Some have suggested that "antibiotics are too important to give to
animals" but our farm and companion animals deserve protection and treatment - and healthy
food comes from healthy animals.
We urge all MEPs to ensure that proper consideration is given to the
wide ranging consequences to animal and human health of any further restrictions on
antibiotics and other animal medicines.
National Office of Animal Health Ltd, 3 Crossfield Chambers, Gladbeck
Way, Enfield, Middlesex, England, EN2 7HF
Telephone:+44 (0)20 8367 3131 Facsimile:+44 (0)20 8363 1155
E-mail: noah@noah.co.uk
Website: www.noah.co.uk |
