Veterinary Medicine Supply Problem: Isoflurane
Update 11 February: Availability of isoflurane-containing products in the UK.
The VMD has received confirmation that UK authorised isoflurane-containing veterinary products will be available in February.
For details of the supply situation for individual UK authorised products, please contact the relevant Marketing Authorisation Holder.
Information on authorised isoflurane-containing products is available on the VMD’s Product Information Database
Vets: How to use the cascade if an authorised product is not available
While there are supply issues with some isoflurane-containing products, vets may use alternative products under the Cascade.
Vets should make every effort to first obtain a UK authorised product, before using a product under the Cascade.
The steps in the cascade are, in descending order of suitability:
- a veterinary medicine authorised in the UK for use in another animal species, or for a different condition in the same species
If there is no such product available, either:
- a medicine authorised in the UK for human use, or
- a veterinary medicine not authorised in the UK, but authorised in another member state for use in any animal species in accordance with the Special Import Scheme (in the case of a food-producing animal the medicine must be authorised for a food producing species)
If there is no such product available:
- a medicine prescribed by the vet responsible for treating the animal and prepared especially on this occasion (known as an extemporaneous preparation or special) by a vet, a pharmacist or a person holding an appropriate manufacturer’s authorisation (specials manufacturers)
- in exceptional circumstances, medicines may be imported from outside Europe via the Special Import Scheme
Vets’ use of the cascade must be based on clinical need, and not cost nor convenience. Where authorised products are temporarily unavailable vets should consider the likely quantities needed and purchase appropriately.
As soon as an authorised product is available, vets must use this even if they still have stocks of unauthorised isoflurane-containing products.
VMD inspectors will be reviewing the use of isoflurane products as part of Veterinary Practice Premises inspections, to ensure that the cascade has been followed.
Updates to this page
Last updated 11 February 2019 + show all updates
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Updated 11 February 2019
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Updated with additional available products.
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A further 4 products added to the imports list
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Updated advice
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Update 14 December to include products available for import under the Special Import Scheme
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Update 14 December: Products available for import through VMD's Special Import Scheme
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First published.