Is Optimal Equine Medication (im)Possible in the Netherlands

Introduction
Over the last decades many measure have been taken to harmonise the requirements for the granting of marketing authorisations of veterinary medicinal products and to review the conditions relating to the authorisation of older products. Regrettably these measures have resulted in the removal from the market of some well established products with low commercial values.

Situation in the Netherlands
Currently (December 2006) 206 veterinary medicinal products are officially registered for equine use in the Netherlands. These include: 51 vitamins/minerals preparations, 23 hormones, 23 vaccines, 33 antiparasitical agents, 9 antibiotics and 67 other medicines. Many active substances are registered and marketed by different companies. This means that there is a limited number of substances available for treatment of horses.

Identification of horses
After 1 January 2007, all equidae in The Netherlands must have a passport and a micro-transponder. This is important as the horse is considered to be a food producing animal species; in situations where there may be risks to human health such as contamination or veterinary treatment, it is important to be able to trace animal products back to their farm of origin or last owner. [...]