ANIMAL HEALTH
South Africa ’ s vets left without access to vital treatment for Cushing ’ s Disease
“ V-Tech acts to avoid similar situation to Avian ‘ Flu ”
V-Tech , the largest veterinary compounding pharmacy in Southern Africa , continues to face challenges in ensuring South Africa ’ s vets have access to a treatment that is considered vital for dogs suffering from Cushing ’ s Disease .
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority ( SAHPRA ) has refused to release a recent shipment of Trilostane , the only effective treatment for the disease , to V-Tech , which has been importing the substance for 10 years .
Cushing ’ s Disease is a hormonal disorder that can cause a variety of health problems in dogs and may be fatal if left untreated . The disease can be managed with medication , but the only currently available treatment in South Africa is a compounded medication produced by V-Tech .
V-Tech CEO Dr Johan Oosthuyse , a veterinarian himself , says that SAHPRA ’ s decision will result in “ immense unnecessary suffering for dogs with this disease ”.
He says that V-Tech is taking steps to prevent a similar situation to what is happening in the
poultry industry , where the government ’ s delay in deciding on vaccination for avian influenza has led to a disastrous situation . Avian influenza , also known as “ bird flu ”, is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause severe illness and death in birds .
“ As a responsible and ethical animal health company , we see it as our duty to ensure that this highly effective , safe , and affordable treatment remains freely available to veterinarians .”
V-Tech , which has been importing Trilostane for a decade , believes it belongs to a class of veterinary medicine that has never required registration . This view is supported by the South African Veterinary Association ( SAVA ), which represents over 1,800 registered veterinarians in the country .
Gert Steyn , the Managing Director of SAVA , says that the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of treating Cushing ’ s Disease with Trilostane are well-established . He says that stopping the importation of Trilostane would lead to the death and suffering of thousands of animals . He also says that SAVA believes Trilostane does not need to be registered .
Dr Oosthuyse believes that while SAHPRA considers the dispute , V-Tech should seek interim court relief to ensure that animals with the chronic , life-threatening condition of Cushing ’ s disease can continue receiving treatment with this compounded Trilostane veterinary prescription medicine .
IITA – CGIAR and OCP African signs five year deal to deliver improved farm productivity from soil health and fertility
IITA – CGIAR and OCP Africa have signed a 5-year memorandum of understanding ( MoU ) to contribute to the sustainable development of African agriculture . IITA , committed to generating agricultural innovations to combat malnutrition , poverty , and hunger in Africa , and OCP Africa , a multicultural African company , working handin-hand with farmers and partners across the continent , share a common goal to boost nutrition and food security in Africa .
OCP Africa develops fertilizer solutions customized to local conditions and crop needs .
They work with governments , public and private enterprises , and other partners to connect farmers to knowledge , resources , fertilizers , and other agricultural services .
IITA ’ s signed partnership with OCP Africa is set to develop digital soil health and fertility maps ,
build unified databases for best soil health and fertility agronomic practices , carry out extensive site-specific soil health research , and provide improved productivity and fertility solutions based on soil , climate , and cropping systems .
Mobilizing financing resources Both parties will jointly mobilize financing resources and strengthen the capacities of national institutions responsible for soil fertility and soil health . They have also identified potential cooperative activities to establish a Regional Center for Soil Health and Fertility to be hosted by IITA .
The African Plant Nutrition Institute ( APNI ) will provide knowledge and support in bringing the 4Rs to the core of fertilizer application and recommendations for farmers and other endusers in an Integrated Soil Fertility Management ( ISFM ) procedure .
The 4Rs — right source , right rate , right time , and right place — guide farmers to important management and fertilizer application practices that help keep nutrients for plants in the field .
Both parties will work with partner contributors from universities and other research institutions as needed .
The Regional Center for Soil Health and Fertility will work closely with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University ( UM6P ), a Moroccan non-profit , private research university , in its Center of Excellence in Soil and Fertilizer Research in Africa ( CESFRA ).
This partnership looks forward to empowering farmers for improved food productivity through research-driven soil health and fertility solutions .
14 | November - December 2023