Representing the Manufacturers of Animal Medicines

National Office of Animal Health Ltd

3 Crossfield Chambers, Gladbeck Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN27HF

Tel: (+44) 020 83673131 Facsimile: (+44) 020 8363 1155

e-mail: a.glennon@noah.co.uk

PressRelease

16April 2003

2001 animal antimicrobial figures show carefor animal health

NOAH has welcomed the publicationby the Veterinary Medicines Directorate of the 2001 figures for antimicrobialuse in the UK. Figures show use has remained broadly steady over the past fouryears over which data has been collected, with the following highlights:

• sales of therapeutic antibiotics decreased slightly from 462 tonnes in 2000 to 459 tonnes in 2001;
• there were 43 tonnes of antimicrobial growth promoters sold in 2001, compared with 46 tonnes in 1998 (the last year for which reliable figures are available);
• 242 tonnes of coccidiostats were sold in 2001, an increase from the 216 tonnes sold in 2000; and
• sales of therapeutic antiprotozoals fell in 2001 for the third year, to 25 tonnes.

These figures show that antibiotics continue to be used responsibly bythe veterinary profession and livestock farmers, commented NOAH chiefexecutive Phil Sketchley. The animal health problems faced by the UK livestockindustry in 2001, as cited by the VMD, such as the new pig diseases PDNS/PMWSand the inevitable disease problems as a consequence of the phase-out of growthpromoters, showed farmers still to be caring for their animals. This wasremarkable in the midst of the devastation of Foot and Mouth Disease, when manyanimals remained on farm for much longer than they normally would, withinevitable problems of bacterial infection.

Everyone in the food chain acknowledges the need to use antibioticsresponsibly, added Mr Sketchley. This is still true even though theindependent expert Veterinary Products Committee report, published in February2003, has concurred with the long-held view of many - given the available evidence, treatmentfailure in human medicine is more likely to arise from sub-optimalantimicrobial use in humans. But responsible use does not equate to no use -as the VPC itself said: Antimicrobialsare essential drugs for the treatment and prevention of disease. They helpreduce animal suffering and contribute to the production of healthy food.

Ends

Notesfor Editors

1. For further informationcontact Philip Sketchley or Alison Glennon on 020 8367 3131, e-mailnoah@noah.co.uk or visit the NOAH website www.noah.co.uk.

2. The National Office ofAnimal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies whichresearch, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. Theassociation has 36 corporate members and 13 associate members. In 2001 NOAH'smembers accounted for around 95% of the 359 million UK animal health market,with additional valuable exports.

3. The paper on sales ofantimicrobial products in 2001 can be obtained free of charge from the VMD'swebsite at www.vmd.gov.uk or Dr KayGoodyear at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham Lane, New Haw,Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3LS, telephone 01932 338409, fax 01932 336618, e-mail:k.goodyear@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk.

4.       The Veterinary ProductsCommittee (VPC) was established in 1970 under Section 4 of the Medicines Act1968 with the following Terms of Reference -

To give advice withrespect to safety, quality and efficacy in relation to the veterinary use ofany substance or article (not being an instrument, apparatus or appliance) towhich any provision of the Medicines Act is applicable.

To promote the collectionof information relating to suspected adverse reactions for the purpose ofenabling such advice to be given.

5.       The report is available onthe VPC website http://www.vpc.gov.uk