| Permit for Obtaining
and Using Mitotane (Lysodren[r]) in Dogs:
The Australian Pesticide & Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)-
previously the NRA- has renewed a permit to
allow veterinary surgeons to obtain and use mitotane for the treatment
of Cushings Disease in dogs. It is available from Bristol-Myers Squibb
at Noble Park Victoria. The permit number is 6453. It is posted on the
APVMA web site at: http://www.apvma.gov.au/permits/permits.shtml
Sodium Thiosulfate for Cyanide Poisoning in Ruminants:
The APVMA has now issued a permit to allow veterinary treatment of cyanide
poisoning in ruminant stock. The
use of unregistered treatments in food producing animals is of increasing
concern nationally and this permit regularises long-standing practice
in use of this treatment. The permit, number 6583, is available on the
same website above.
Consideration of other permits that might be required for treatment of
poisonings is under way. Unfortunately, not
all chemicals used as antidotes are as benign or as residue free as sodium
thiosulfate.
Botulism (type C) Vaccine for Horses:
Another permit issued by the APVMA, number 6740, allows Queensland DPI
to supply a vaccine for use in
pregnant mares to help prevent type C botulism in foals. While there may
be little demand for this product in NSW
it is available from DPI at Yeerongpilly Veterinary Laboratory. See the
APVMA web site for details.
Changes to Antibiotic Poison Schedules-Virginiamycin:
One of the recommendations of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee
on Antibiotics Resistance (JETACAR) was that all antibiotics used in animals
be under the control of veterinary surgeons and available only on prescription
(S4). This process has already commenced, with the following chemicals
and products no longer available direct from suppliers or able to be included
in feeds or premixes except on veterinary order:
- bacitracin- BMD-100, Albac, Zinc Bacitracin
- erythromycin- CCD Erythromycin
- hygromycin- Not on sale
- spiramycin-Not on sale
- virginiamycin- Eskalin Feed Premix for Cattle, Stafac,
- Virginiamycin
In the case of virginiamycin, other restrictions on use (particularly
length and frequency of use) are also expected
to be applied once its Review is finalised. The only options now available
to allow owners to obtain medicated premixes or pellets containing virginiamycin
are:
- Their veterinary surgeon obtains the product from a wholesaler as
for other S4 drugs (if one has been made by a licensed stock feed manufacturer
and is supplied to wholesalers - such products do not require APVMA
registration at this time). The wholesaler cannot deliver direct to
the owner (as for all S4 drugs) but only to the veterinary surgeon who
must take delivery then forward to the client (and may then charge for
the product).
- Their veterinary surgeon writes a prescription or order for the medicated
feed or premix and gives a copy to the owner and the feed mill. The
feed mill can make the product and deliver it to the owner (because
it is a feed) but the feed mill must charge the owner only and not the
prescribing veterinary surgeon.
NSW Health has advised that if a feed mill does make a medicated premix
or pellet but does not supply finished
feeds, it may deliver the premix to a second licensed feed mill for incorporation
into a finished feed on veterinary
prescription. An appropriate prescription trail would be required as would
appropriate Health Department Authorities.
Prosecution of Veterinary Surgeons Under Steroids Order:
NSW Agriculture has in force an Order preventing any supply of injectable
steroids by veterinary surgeons in NSW.
Details of proceedings against Dr Sven (Steve) Temmingh for breaches of
the order are published on pg. 4 of this
issue of Boardtalk. NSW Agriculture anticipates carrying out further audits
of the steroid records required to be kept by veterinarians later this
financial year. Information about, and details of, the Order are posted
at:
http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/pe-chemicals/
dai53.htm. For further information on any of these matters, please
contact:
Lee Cook
Veterinarian (Chemical Control), NSW Agriculture
Phone:6391 3722
Fax: 6391 3740 |