Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Bayer UK found in breach of NOAH medicine promotion policies
Bayer UK breached NOAH's Code of Practice on Animal Welfare.
Sales reps referred to false reports of efficacy of NexGard Spectra

The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has ruled that pharmaceutical firm Bayer UK breached the NOAH Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines.

NOAH’s Code of Practice Committee met with Bayer chair Guy Tritton in January to discuss a complaint referred to them by Boehringer Ingelheim. The complaint concerned statements made by Bayer UK sales representatives to veterinary practices in various territories about the efficacy of NexGard Spectra® to prevent angiostrongylosis.

A NOAH press release reads: ‘The statements referred to false case reports about NexGard Spectra® and its efficacy. All such reports were false. Once notified of the communications activity, to its credit, Bayer UK took steps to address the matter with the sales representatives and stop the communication of this information.
 
‘It was accepted by Bayer UK that the reports were false and that the statements should not have been made and that this conduct breached clauses 4.3, 4.4 and 11.2 of the Code.

‘The Code of Practice Committee decided that the conduct of Bayer UK’s representatives was also in breach of Clause 3.1 of the NOAH Code, which states: “A Promotion must never be such as to bring discredit upon, or reduce confidence in, the animal medicines industry”.’

Full details about the case are available at noah.co.uk

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.