Brussels, 10 March 2016 – Coming just days after the adoption of the new framework legislation on transmissible animal diseases, IFAH-Europe welcomes the strong signals sent today by the European Parliament to ensure the availability of a varied arsenal of veterinary medicines for the prevention and treatment of animal disease.
We are particularly encouraged by the Parliament’s efforts to stimulate improvements of existing medicines which can lead to enhanced treatments in terms of reduction of dosage, improved potency, as well as increasing ease of use for the animal owner. By putting in place more efficient procedures to authorise medicines in exceptional situations, this paves the way for greater preparedness in the case of disease outbreaks. Also, encouraging investment in innovation means that new medicines may be developed to fill the gaps in treatment options for animals that at present don’t exist.
The European animal health industry fully supports not only the banning of unjustified routine preventive treatment with antibiotics but also the restricted and controlled approach to online sales of antibiotics. As a sector we are strongly committed to promoting the responsible use of all medicines in veterinary care.
Commenting after the vote IFAH-Europe’s Secretary General Roxane Feller said, “Europe has one of the world’s most stringent regulatory systems for controlling medicines, with an unusually high administrative burden associated with the licensing of veterinary medicines (double that of human medicines). This opportunity to revise the rules governing our products only comes up every 10-15 years. Subsequently, we very much appreciate the steps taken so far and hope to see the institutions further build on this base to boost innovation in animal health and increase the availability of prevention and treatment options for all of Europe’s animals, veterinarians, farmers and pet owners alike.”
The Parliament will now start talks with the Council of the EU and we look forward to the outcome of the negotiations.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
• Read IFAH-Europe’s position on the veterinary medicines and the medicated feed proposals.