Latest News (updated February 2010)

Equine Infectious Anaemia and Equine Blood Products:

• Following the Ministerial Statement to the House on 19 January 2010 that two horses imported from Romania, having tested positive for Equine Infectious Anaemia, had been humanely destroyed, the British Veterinary Association and the British Equine Veterinary Association issued a joint statement on 20 January 2010. Although the risk of further spread is considered to be very low, this joint statement reminded all veterinary surgeons of the potential for spreading EIA through the use of contaminated blood or blood products, instruments or needles.

• Veterinary Immunogenics Ltd would like to point out that it supplies the fully licensed equine plasma products Hypermune and Hypermune RE, which it produces in the United Kingdom in compliance with strict protocols which ensure consistent product quality and safety. These protocols include the testing of every donor horse to ensure its freedom from a specified range of disease-causing agents including Equine Infectious Anaemia.

• In supporting the joint statement the company would like to emphasise the severe risks of using any equine plasma product obtained from any unlicensed source, particularly the internet, and from the use of "home-made" products.

Products:

• HYPERMUNE and HYPERMUNE-RE have national UK Marketing Authorisations.

• HYPERMUNE-RE has also been granted a full Marketing Authorisation by the Irish Medicines Board. This product is available for direct supply to Veterinary Surgeons in Ireland as well as the UK and carries harmonised labels and product literature.

• The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has an updated list of licensed veterinary products online. For more online resources see the entries for Veterinary Immunogenics, HYPERMUNE and HYPERMUNE-RE in the UK National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) Compendium of Animal Medicines

• In July 2008 the regulatory authority conducted it's routine searching site inspection and as Veterinary Immunogenics Ltd continues to meet all the high standards required a new Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate has been granted.

PRICES:

• The weak pound against other currencies, especially the Euro makes our products even more cost effective outside the UK.

INFORMATION

• Unfortunately, we are NOT permitted to supply Hypermune-J and Hypermune-RV due to regulatory restrictions. Follow the link for the latest position on Endotoxaemia and HYPERMUNE
• For more information on plasma use, in addition to Failure of Passive Transfer, see the HYPERMUNE-REview and HYPERMUNE-REview volume 2 (January 2010). Please also see the Newsletters archives and FAQs
• For further information please contact eileenbarr@veterinaryimmunogenics.com or tombarr@veterinaryimmunogenics.com

SPONSORSHIP

• Like most businesses in the UK VIL has not been untouched by the national and global economic downturn but has employed strategies to minimise any adverse impact and is looking forward to the 2010 foaling season.

• VIL has continued to support the industry by sponsoring some CPD events and restraining prices. In 2010 VIL is involved with the Foal Care Course in Newmarket in January and will be involved in additional events.