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West Australian
04-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Much-needed footrot vaccine ‘at least three years away'
A long-awaited custom footrot vaccine for sheep is likely to be at least three years away from hitting the market, according to one industry group gunning to get it back in farmers' hands. It has been nearly five years since Australian farmers have been able to access the Custom Footrot R-Pilus vaccine after its emergency management permit was cancelled by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority in 2020. Farmers had used the custom vaccine for several years as a replacement for Coopers' Footvax — a multi-serotype vaccine targeting 10 strains of footrot, which was banned by the APVMA in 2008. The ban left sheep producers struggling to eradicate footrot in sheep by foot paring/foot bathing, antibiotic treatment under specific conditions and the culling of flocks under a destocking regime. While Footvax returned to the market in 2020, industry argues limiting the number of serogroups results in a more targeted immune response. WoolProducers Australia general manager Adam Dawes said the organisation had been 'working tirelessly' since 2020 to explore ways to get the vaccine in use again and determined the 'only way' would be via full product registration. The organisation has been working with the University of Sydney, which owns the vaccine's intellectual property, and Animal Health Australia, to try and register it with the APVMA. The groups plan to release a report into their research in coming weeks, before doubling-down on efforts to register the vaccine and 'identify the necessary funding arrangements and timeframes'. 'We have consistently found during the past three years that footrot always features within the top three health and welfare issues for woolgrowers,' Mr Dawes said. 'The report will give us clarity around the requirements for registration, it will allow us to find the right partners to get the vaccine back to growers. 'We still have at least another three years ahead of us before we obtain full registration of the custom vaccine. 'We still need to find the funds to support the research and registration process, however it's reassuring to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.' Footrot is a highly contagious disease that attacks the feet of sheep causing severe lameness and loss of body condition. It is prevalent in many countries around the world and, in Australia, the financial impact of the disease on the wool and livestock industry is estimated at $84 million a year.
ABC News
24-04-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Pork industry waits for JEV vaccine three years after viral outbreak
Australia's $6 billion pork industry has been waiting for a vaccine against the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) for three years since its outbreak. Nine people have died from the virus since 2021, including two in Queensland this year. A vaccine exists for humans, but two separate pig vaccines are yet to clear federal approval processes. It comes as primary producers do everything they can to combat the mosquito-borne virus that causes significant reproductive issues in sows and has cost the pork industry millions of dollars. Emergency permits The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) said it was assessing two emergency use permit applications, which would allow scientists to trial their vaccines in piggeries. The competing vaccines have been developed primarily by the University of Queensland and veterinary company Apiam Animal Health. Chris Richards says he has 100,000 doses of a safe and effective vaccine. ( Supplied: Chris Richards ) Apiam Animal Health chief executive Chris Richards said he lodged his application on March 14, it passed the preliminary assessment two days later, and was told by the APVMA he would hear back within two weeks. He said he had been waiting for six weeks. He said the company had the capacity to vaccinate 50,000 sows within two weeks of emergency approval. "We haven't … really been notified that there are any deficiencies in the application," he said. "But also haven't been updated as to when that might be processed. "If we got an emergency use permit today, we'd be able to vaccinate most of those sows that are in the affected areas in the next two weeks." Feeling forgotten Farmers have been told their best defence is mosquito controls as The most recent detection was at the Betta Pork facility in Biloela. Director Laurie Brosnan said he was following industry best practice to keep his piggery safe, but it was not enough without an effective vaccine. He said Betta Pork had an independent contractor who sprayed open waterways, puddles, and other areas "at a considerable cost". "We also treat the animals to protect them against JEV," he said. "It's just unfortunate that there's only so much you can do." Laurie Brosnan says he is frustrated with the wait for a vaccine. ( Supplied: Laurie Brosnan ) He said he felt his industry had been forgotten. "I can't help but feel that the pig industry is not front of mind," he said. "I understand we're in election time, and politicians make promises as they do. "I still feel that the government isn't prioritising or even giving the pig industry a fair go." Top concern Australian Pork chief executive Margo Andrea said JEV was a top concern for the industry. "The previous outbreak in 2022 cost the industry millions of dollars and significantly impacted operations for piggeries across four states," she said. "Three years later, JEV continues to contribute to losses for producers and their communities. "We will continue pushing for a vaccine that will help keep our herds safe and healthy and help safeguard our producers' livelihoods." Growing need University of Queensland Associate Professor Jody Peters, who oversaw the development of one of the vaccines, said there was enough data to show that it was safe and effective. Jody Peters (right) looks at cells used for vaccines with Jessica Harrison. ( Supplied: University of Queensland ) Dr Peters said her team started working on it as soon as they were notified of the first JEV outbreak in Australia in early 2022. "The initial trials occurred at the end of 2022, and some additional trials occurred in 2023," she said. "I think we have got sufficient data to prove that it is effective, and it is safe. "But, ultimately, it is up to the regulatory bodies to determine whether we have produced enough data to date." Dr Peters said the need for a commercially available vaccine was growing. "With all of the flooding that's occurred recently, the mosquito that is likely the culprit for transmitting the virus would have bred up huge populations," she said. "I am incredibly frustrated, as are pig farmers, with how long it is taking to get these approvals across the line. "But I do believe that we will have a vaccine on the market in the future." ABC Southern Qld — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Wednesday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
ABC News
22-04-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Pet owners preparing class action against osteoarthritis drug maker over dog deaths
Above Courtney Christie's fireplace is a shrine to her beloved dog, Lotte. "We were completely inseparable, she went everywhere with me — she was my great friend," she said. After the 12-year-old kelpie koolie cross started "slowing down", her vet clinic suggested a new medication which had just launched in Australia called Beransa — a monthly antibody therapy injection to alleviate osteoarthritis pain in dogs. An oil painting of Lotte, gifted to Ms Christie by her friend after the dog's death. ( ABC News: Brant Cumming ) "'Safe and side effect free' was the messaging that I got and the messaging that the clinic got," she said. But she said after the second injection, Lotte started becoming confused and lethargic, and her condition deteriorated. During the following weeks, Lotte was found to have no platelets (thrombocytopenia) and underwent a plasma infusion, steroid medication, and chemotherapy type immune therapies. "I maxed out every credit card I had, I borrowed money, and I gave her every chance to live," she said. Ms Christie said Lotte became ill in February 2024. ( Supplied: Courtney Christie ) But eventually Ms Christie had to make the difficult decision to euthanase Lotte. "I just looked down and she started haemorrhaging. She was losing blood from her back end," she said. Vets notified in United States After extensive research, she found that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued a letter to veterinarians about adverse events reported in dogs treated with the medication, called Librela in the US and Europe. "The adverse events identified and analysed include: ataxia, seizures, other neurologic signs, including but not limited to, paresis, recumbency, urinary incontinence; polyuria, and polydipsia," the letter read. Ms Christie said Lotte ultimately had to be put down after haemorrhaging. ( Supplied: Courtney Christie ) "In some cases, death (including euthanasia) was reported as an outcome of these adverse events." After reviewing the drug, the FDA forced Zoetis to include "death" as a possible side effect on its labelling in the US. But the Australian regulator is yet to follow suit. In a statement, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) said it was aware of public commentary regarding adverse experiences associated with Beransa, and was seeking evidence from international regulators. It said it registered Beransa in 2022 and updated the label in August 2024 to include "the addition of rarely identified side effects", including blood disorders such as thrombocytopenia — which Lotte was diagnosed with. "The APVMA will take immediate action if we determine that there is a significant imminent threat to the Australian community," the statement read. Ms Christie started looking into Beransa when her dog died. ( ABC News: Brant Cumming ) Ms Christie also discovered that a class action had been filed in the United States, alleging the drug had been associated with "thousands of reported adverse events". She said if she had known that earlier, she never would have treated Lotte with Beransa. "It's a huge guilt, and I feel like I let her down, and I feel like I had a hand in killing my dog," she said through tears. Now, Ms Christie and a group of other pet owners around the country are seeking to launch a similar class action in Australia. Vets describe positive experience The ABC has contacted veterinary clinics around Australia, who say their experiences with Beransa have been mostly positive. "Generally, it's been a real benefit to dogs … we're not saving their lives forever, but we're giving them six to 12 months they probably never would have had," said veterinarian Andrew Spanner. His Adelaide clinic has issued about 1,200 doses, and he estimates about half of elderly dogs are being treated with Beransa. He is concerned legal action and bad reviews on social media could affect the treatment's availability. Dr Andrew Spanner with his dog, Loki. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke ) "When you Google it, all you get is all the bad things, because the people who are having good experiences are just quietly going about their day, not saying anything about it," he said. He said reports side effects are impacting multiple bodily system raises alarm bells because "true adverse effects" are "quite focused". Dr Spanner said he wished it was available sooner because he would have used it to treat one of his own dogs, who was euthanased. But while he understands grief is often linked to a search for answers, he fears Beransa could be pulled from the market. Mount Barker Vet Clinic owner Digby Ambrose has been a veterinarian since 1979. ( ABC News: Ashlin Blieschke ) That sentiment is echoed by veterinarian John Carruthers. "It becomes very confusing, and it causes unnecessary stress for pet owners because there's this apparent information saying it's bad when it's not," Dr Carruthers said. "We don't expect any medication to be zero risk … with any medication, the question you have to ask before you prescribe it is what's more dangerous — the disease or the medication?" Integrative veterinarian Digby Ambrose's clinic has administered more than 1,400 doses with little to no side effects. "It's our last line of treatment … we'd like clients to have informed consent before we use this product, so we list the possible side effects and what we think the incidents may be," he said. Manufacturer backs product In a statement, Beransa's manufacturer, Zoetis said reported adverse events represented fewer than 10 occurrences per 10,000 doses. "We understand that when any dog experiences an adverse event, these statistics are a small consolation," the statement read. Beransa is a dog medication used to alleviate osteoarthritis pain and is made by Zoetis. ( ABC News: Brant Cumming ) "All medicines come with some potential risks. Pet owners should weigh the benefits of using any product against the potential risks in consultation with their veterinarian. "Since launching four years ago, Beransa has been used effectively with millions of dogs around the world, helping dogs suffering from osteoarthritis pain live with less pain and greater mobility." Pet owners advocate for better information For Ray Dalli, informed consent is exactly what he wants to see. He and his family nursed their Jack Russell terrier Daisy around the clock for 161 days, until they eventually had her euthanised. "We couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel … we felt it was unjust, and she couldn't go through any further testing," he said. Mr Dalli also wants to be part of a class action. He meticulously documented Daisy's decline, which he claims was the result of Beransa. Ray Dalli wants drug maker Zoetis to better communicate possible side effects of Beransa. ( ABC News: Andrew Altree-Williams ) He said after Daisy was administered the drug, she started having spasms, became confused, lost weight, sought out dark corners and appeared in a "drunken state". "She would stagger, she would sway, she would fall over. It was not a slow collapse, but just, bang, I'm dead, frozen, dead," he said. " I wish I hadn't heard of the drug. " He said while Zoetis had listened to his concerns, he wished there had been communication about potential risks. "The answer is not to withdraw the drug from the market — the answer is to make people aware of it, that there are serious adverse effects," he said. Jack Russell terrier Daisy was euthanased after enduring debilitating symptoms for months. ( Supplied: Ray Dalli ) "Our dog didn't deserve this. She deserved a normal, dignified end to her life." Ms Christie added that there was evidence stating the drug had helped dogs. "[But] it should be for dogs that have exhausted every other treatment opportunity, not happy little 12-year-olds with a bit of a stiff hip," she said.
