Antibiotics with a strong emphasis on ‘prudent use’
With antibiotics receiving increasing amounts of scrutiny in the EU and elsewhere in the world, manufacturers of these products cannot get away with solely promoting the product. A strong story of prudent use is necessary to convince veterinarians and producers alike.
By Vincent ter Beek
This spring, multinational animal health company Huvepharma launched its product Pharmasin 100% Water Soluble Granules (WSG) at a symposium in Istanbul. Its whole approach was built around the emphasis on prudent and careful use. The product was developed around the macrolide antibiotic tylosin, to be used for veterinary purposes in pigs and poultry. Although already in existence as a powder variety to be used in premixes, a soluble variety is now available.
In broilers, layers and turkeys, the product has received indications for use to prevent or cure respiratory infections caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae; and also against necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens. The product is metabolised extensively and eliminated very quickly.
Precision in dosage
Huvepharma likes to speak of ‘precision-based antibiotics’, as soluble antibiotics provide the advantage of offering a constant intake even when animals are on a restricted feeding pattern. To emphasise the precision, the launch came with formulas and a special calculator, so it is easy for veterinarians to calculate how much is needed said global marketing director Dr Alain Kanora.
“Introducing the calculator we would like to emphasise that veterinarians should not only have attention for treatment days, but also have attention for using the right dosage. We have registered our products for use in mg/kg bodyweight, as animals have a changing feed demand over their growing period.”The addition of a soluble variety to the company’s range is considered important, added Kanora, since this allows a constant antibiotic intake by the animals, even when they are on a restricted feeding pattern. Soluble tylosin both is metabolised extensively and eliminated very quickly.
Focus on antibiotics
Several speakers in Istanbul focused on the value of antibiotics use and not surprisingly, one of the take home messages was that veterinarians need the widest variety of tools possible to help their livestock stay healthy. And antibiotics should be among these. Several other speakers addressed the audience with similar messages. However, they all had one word of caution: The use of antibiotics should never be a reason to lower any farm’s thoughts on biosecurity and house climate management. After all, if the occurrence of pathogens can be prevented (without the use of antibiotics), it’s even better than whatever prudent use.
A similar message could be heard, when Prof Filip Van Immerseel, University of Ghent, Belgium dived into the topic of gut health in chickens. In necrotic enteritis the key pathogen is the toxin producing bacteria Clostridium perfringens. Its effect is similar, as its presence may induce a lot of other secondary pathogens to also launch an attack on the animal’s gastro-intestinal tract.
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