The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) has launched a new tool designed to help European veterinary practitioners comply with the EU’s Veterinary Medicines Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/6). The new visual guide offers a flowchart-based approach to follow the so-called ‘cascade principle’ as outlined in the EU Veterinary Medicines Regulation (2019/6).
The cascade, ‘a safety net’
‘When we talk about the cascade we’re actually referring to articles 112-114 of this Regulation,’ explained Rory Breathnach, professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin, at the webinar on the veterinary medicines cascade, organised jointly by the FVE and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), in January. ‘The cascade is a safety net for veterinary practitioners if a particular medicine is not available. This is particularly beneficial for smaller markets and for minor species like goats or ducks, where medicines are often lacking.’
Prudent principles
The FVE Cascade guide leads veterinary prescribers through the decision-making process, whether treating companion animals, food-producing and aquatic animals or equids. However, being a safety net ‘does not mean it’s a free-for-all,’ professor Breathnach recalled. ‘To safeguard antimicrobial efficacy and public health, we need to apply prudent principles.’ And off-label use will be considered illegal.
Sensitivity testing
The tool will help vets uphold animal health and welfare, ensuring safe and effective care while maintaining regulatory compliance. For example, it indicates when prior antimicrobial sensitivity testing is required. (Rest assured, no antibiogram is needed if culture is not possible, for example in the case of Mycoplasma or other pathogens that are difficult to culture, or if taking a sample would be too dangerous. But in that case, vets should be able to justify their choice of drug.)
Responsibilities and record-keeping rules
Besides treatment choices, the guide also recalls the prescribers’ responsibilities, record-keeping and proper use of products, with a specific focus on:
- Substances essential for equine treatment (pages 12-13)
- Antimicrobials reserved for specific human infections (14-15)
- Antimicrobials with restricted use in the Cascade (16-17)
The document can be downloaded here.