Veterinary Medicines Directorate

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate responds to a freedom of information request seeking yearly sales data for swine influenza vaccines and autogenous vaccines for pigs from 2015 to 2025. The agency states that it does not hold sales data for autogenous vaccines and withholds licensed vaccine sales data under Section 43(2) of the FOIA, citing risks of commercial prejudice due to the small number of manufacturers. A public interest test concludes that protecting commercially sensitive information and maintaining fair competition outweigh the benefits of disclosure.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate states that veterinary and human medicines are regulated under separate legal frameworks and that it cannot cross‑compare classifications between them. It confirms holding no assessments, correspondence with the MHRA, or evidence indicating human use of veterinary injectable B12 products. All veterinary injectable B12 products are prescription-only, and sourcing them for self-administration is illegal. Information on authorised veterinary medicines is available through the Product Information Database.

Confirms that certain Naqua ivermectin products are registered under the Schedule 6 Exemption for small pet animal medicines and may be legally marketed in the UK if they meet all regulatory requirements. Notes that product names in the request differ from those held by the regulator and advises seeking clarification from the manufacturer. Any products not on the VMD’s registered list cannot be legally marketed. Registered wholesalers face no additional restrictions beyond compliance with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations and relevant manufacturing and wholesale standards.

A formal FOI response outlines how lack of efficacy is defined for veterinary medicines and summarises warnings contained in the product information for Nobivac Myxo‑RHD PLUS, including reduced efficacy in animals with high maternally derived antibodies or prior exposure to similar vaccines or infections. It reports 140 cases of suspected lack of efficacy against RHD virus following administration while noting limitations in interpreting adverse event numbers due to variable reporting and lack of independent verification.