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Companies are encouraged to report supply problems to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

Where a supply problem exists and there is no alternative product, vets may prescribe using the cascade. Vets are reminded that it is their responsibility to apply use of the Cascade appropriately based on clinical need

More information can be found on The Cascade: Prescribing unauthorised medicines page.

For non-UK products vets must apply for a certificate to import a Veterinary Medicine into the UK.

For information on manufacturers of extemporaneous products, please read the ManSA Register

Supply problems exist with the following products

Veterinary replacement fluids for infusion

The VMD is aware of a shortage of veterinary replacement fluids for infusion.

We understand that whilst some UK authorised veterinary fluids remain available, these are in limited quantities.For details of the supply situation for individual UK authorised products, please contact the relevant Marketing Authorisation Holder or your usual wholesaler.

While there are supply issues with some replacement fluids, vets may consider use of alternative products under the Cascade, however vets should make every effort to first obtain a UK authorised product.

Due to the clinical need for this category of product, the VMD has recently assessed the following products for import under the Special Import Scheme:

To address the shortage, veterinary surgeons may consider use of the above products under the cascade once the necessary import certificate has been obtained. If veterinary surgeons are aware of any other alternative products, they can submit an SIC application for these.

As a reminder, where authorised products are temporarily unavailable vets should consider the likely quantities needed and purchase appropriately.As soon as an authorised product is available again, vets are expected to use this even if they still have stocks of unauthorised products.

Vaccines for immunisation against equine influenza and tetanus

The VMD have been informed of a short-term shortage for equine influenza and tetanus vaccines.

The following has been reported to the VMD directly by the respective Marketing Authorisation Holders:

• ProteqFlu Suspension for Injection for Horses and ProteqFlu-Te Suspension for Injection for Horses; currently unavailable due to unexpected issues following the implementation of a technology upgrade. Supply is estimated to return at the end of October 2022.
• Equilis Prequenza Te Suspension for Injection for Horses and Equilis Prequenza Suspension for Injection for Horses; remain available, however due to increased demand, stock will be supplied on allocation to existing customers based on previous purchasing patterns.
• Equip F and Equip FT; due to unexpected pressures on supply, Equip F is currently out of stock. Adequate supplies of Equip FT remain available to fulfil existing customer orders only.

During this time we encourage veterinary surgeons to consider the timing of vaccinations, likely quantities needed and to purchase appropriately.

Further industry-led advice on management of equine health and welfare during this short-term disruption is in development and updates may be found on the British Equine Veterinary Associations website.

Additionally, where no vaccine is available and the health situation so requires, veterinary surgeons may consider use of alternative vaccines under the cascade. Where identified, an SIC application should be submitted to the VMD and each application will be assessed on its individual merits. In advance of applying for SICs for any product it is recommended that the supplier is contacted to ensure that sufficient stock is available to meet your needs.

Vaccine for immunisation against ringworm

The VMD is aware of a supply problem for Bovilis Ringvac (Intervet UK Ltd), indicated for the active immunisation of cattle to reduce clinical signs of ringworm caused by Trichophyton verrucosum.

Due to the clinical need for a vaccine of this indication in the UK, the VMD has approved Trichoben for import. Trichoben is authorised in both the Czech Republic and Netherlands as per the following

To address the supply problem, veterinary surgeons may consider use of the above products under the cascade once the necessary import certificate has been obtained. If veterinary surgeons are aware of any other alternative vaccines, they can submit an SIC application for these vaccines. Each application will be assessed on its individual merits.

In advance of applying for SICs for any product it is recommended that the supplier is contacted to ensure that sufficient stock is available to meet your needs.

More information can be found on the VMDs Special Import Scheme guidance page.

Products containing acepromazine for anaesthetic premedication, tranquilisation and sedation in horses

Following the granting of a marketing authorisation the VMD have been informed that there is availability of a 10mg/ml acepromazine solution for injection:

• AceSedate 10mg/ml solution for injection for horses Vm: 25296/4008

Therefore the VMD will no longer issue import certificates for alternative acepromazine products, including:

• Calmivet solution for injection (5mg/ml), licensed in France
• Vetranquiol 1% solution for injection (10mg/ml), licensed in Germany and Netherlands

This will take effect immediately.

Existing certificates will remain valid until their date of expiry, however veterinary surgeons are reminded to apply the Cascade responsibly and use UK authorised product where available.

2mg/ml presentations are also available. Information on authorised acepromazine-containing products is available on the VMDs Product Information Database.

Vaccines for immunisation against Leptospira hardjo and Leptospira borgpetersenii

The VMD have been informed that there is now supply of two UK authorised Leptospirosis vaccines indicated for cattle: Leptavoid-H Suspension for Injection for Cattle Vm: 01708/4568 and Spirovac Vm: 42058/4134.

The VMD will no longer accept applications to import alternative products BioBos L injection for cattle, licensed in Czech Republic or Spirovac, licensed in the USA.

Viper Venom Antiserum for veterinary use (adder bite antivenom)

There is no viper venom antiserum licensed in the UK for the treatment of adder bites in animals.

VMD accept applications to import European Viper Antiserum from Biomed (Poland) and Institute of Immunology, Zagreb (Croatia).

Before submitting an application contact the relevant manufacturer to ensure they are able to supply the quantity of product you wish to import.

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