The shortage of certain veterinary medicines remains a silent but very real problem in Spain and the rest of Europe. In many animal species, from the pets, livestock, and wildlifeThere are diseases for which there is still no adequate authorized treatment or, simply, the supply is insufficient.
To bring order to this scenario and set priorities for the industry, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has released the latest annual report of the Veterinary Medicines Availability Committee (CODI-VET), which adds to other works on the access to and safety of medicinesThis document systematically reviews the therapeutic gaps in veterinary medicines and other urgent needs, in order to promote research, development and marketing of new products that fill these gaps.
A detailed map of therapeutic gaps by animal species
The CODI-VET report doesn't dwell on generalities, but rather breaks down the deficiencies by major animal groups. The classification covers dogs, cats and rabbits as pets, and continues with beekeeping, aquaculture, birds, ruminants, pigs, cattle, horses and wild species. This structure allows for fairly precise identification of the areas where the availability of pharmaceuticals is most limited.
The central objective is for the industry to have a clear picture of the prophylactic, therapeutic, hormonal and diagnostic needs not yet covered. Based on this information, the aim is for laboratories to prioritize lines of work where the health impact is high, but the market is small or complex, and therefore the investment is not so obvious without prior guidance, especially when factors such as reference price they condition the market.
The document, publicly accessible through the AEMPS website, has become a reference tool for administrations, veterinary professionals and companies, as it summarizes everything in a single text. the main shortages of veterinary medicines by species and by type of pathology.
Pets: dogs and cats facing a still insufficient supply
In the section dedicated to companion animals, CODI-VET notes that Dogs and cats They still need a wide range of essential drugs that are currently unavailable in the necessary formulations or for the required indications. These aren't just highly specialized products, but medications used daily in veterinary practice.
Among the main shortcomings, the report mentions the lack of certain ophthalmic medications, antivirals, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)as well as the shortage of antibiotics for intravenous use and diagnostic agents adapted to these species. These gaps complicate the management of common pathologies, from chronic eye infections to complex respiratory or digestive processes.
The situation in veterinary oncology is particularly delicate. CODI-VET highlights the need for specific antineoplastics for oral, subcutaneous and intravenous useThe lack of registered options often forces us to resort to adaptations of medicines for human use, with the challenges that this entails in terms of safety, dosage and legal responsibility.
The report also points out shortcomings in psychotropic drugs intended for the management of fear and anxietyHigh-potency analgesics, anti-asthmatic drugs, and cardiovascular medications for chronic conditions. For clinical veterinarians, this represents a limited margin of maneuverability, especially in patients with comorbidities or those requiring long-term treatment.
Rabbit farming, beekeeping and aquaculture: sectors with large gaps
In the field of rabbit farming and in the care of pet rabbitsThe report highlights the absence of several antibiotics considered essential, such as some long-acting penicillins or certain macrolides. This situation is compounded by the lack of internal and external antiparasitics specifically adapted to the species, as well as vaccines against key diseases such as coccidiosis or rabbit epizootic enteropathy.
According to the apicultureCODI-VET is once again focusing on the scarcity of therapeutic alternatives to Varroa destructorThe parasite remains one of the main enemies of beehives, and the report considers the availability of new active ingredients that allow [the parasite] a priority. Rotate treatments and reduce the risk of resistanceGaps have also been identified in medications to combat Nosema spp., Paenibacillus larvae and certain viruses that affect bees.
La aquaculture It appears, once again, as one of the sectors with the most pronounced therapeutic deficit. The document describes the lack of effective antiparasitic drugs against protozoa, monogeneans, and arthropods in fish, as well as the shortage of suitable antimicrobials and pharmaceutical forms adapted to farm conditions (e.g., premixes, baths or immersion treatments).
Furthermore, the urgency of having available is emphasized. vaccines against emerging diseases in marine and freshwater species, citing agents such as Aeromonas salmonicidanodavirus Flavobacterium psychrophilum o Tenacibaculum spp.The absence of these biological agents not only affects the welfare of the fish, but also the economic sustainability of the farms and the reduction of antibiotic use.
Poultry, cattle, swine and small ruminants: key needs in animal production
In the chapter dedicated to the laying hensThe report identifies the development of new antiparasitic drugs against the red mite as a priority, a pest that causes significant losses and welfare problems. It also calls for... Symptomatic treatments of non-plant origin for respiratory conditionsas well as vaccines targeting bacterial and enteric diseases that continue to cause outbreaks on farms.
For meat birdsThe CODI-VET identifies vaccine research against diseases such as pasteurellosis, salmonellosis, ORT infection, turkey hemorrhagic enteritis, and certain adenoviruses as priority areas. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for... Alternatives to colistin for the control of infections caused by E. coli, in line with European policies for the prudent use of antimicrobials.
In the sector of cattleThe document highlights shortages in antiparasitic drugs for diseases such as theileriosis and neosporosis, as well as the need to expand the range of suitable antimicrobials for this species. It also emphasizes the importance of developing vaccines against coccidia and contagious nodular dermatosisin addition to polyvalent vaccines that include serotypes that are currently poorly covered, such as serotype 3.
El porcine This appears to be a particularly sensitive issue. CODI-VET considers it a priority to make progress in DIVA marker vaccines against African Swine Fever and Classical Swine FeverKey tools for differentiating vaccinated animals from infected animals are also mentioned. Furthermore, gaps in essential antibiotics and vaccines against [unspecified disease] are noted. Brucella suis, streptococci, Ascaris suis and the coronavirus responsible for epidemic diarrhea in piglets.
In the small ruminants (Sheep and goats), the report calls for antiparasitic drugs with formulations better suited to these species, greater availability of anticoccidials and antimicrobials for respiratory and reproductive conditions, as well as anti-inflammatories considered essential in daily practice. The development of vaccines against ovine respiratory disease complex and against Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, along with polyvalent vaccines capable of covering a greater number of circulating serotypes.
Wildlife and equines: a challenge for public health and animal welfare
The CODI-VET report dedicates a specific section to the wild speciesThis group, often overlooked in traditional drug development strategies, plays a key role in disease transmission between wildlife, livestock, and humans. This highlights the lack of... Sedatives and anesthetics suitable for tele-injection, a fundamental tool for the capture and safe handling of animals in the field.
Also highlighted are shortages of internal and external antiparasitic drugs needed to control relevant diseases in wildlife, as well as the need for specific vaccines, for example, those aimed at controlling tuberculosis in wild boarsThe latter is especially important in areas where wild boar act as a reservoir, with direct implications for cattle farming and public health.
As for equidsThe CODI-VET outlines a comprehensive list of essential medicines that are not yet adequately available in Spain. These include broad-spectrum antimicrobials, selective anti-inflammatories, drugs for gastrointestinal disorders, anticoagulants, and sedatives tailored to the needs of horses and other equines.
The document also mentions the lack of antiparasitic drugs to treat diseases such as theileriosis in horses, as well as antineoplastics for topical and systemic use for the treatment of skin tumors and other neoplasms. In addition, there are shortages of vaccines to prevent specific diseases, such as equine viral arteritis, which remains a concern in the equestrian sector.
This combination of needs in wildlife and equines has an impact not only on animal welfare, but also on the prevention of zoonoses and in the safety of people who work in close contact with these animals, from field veterinarians to staff at reserves, farms and rescue centers.
The role of CODI-VET in improving the availability of veterinary medicines
Beyond the list of shortcomings, the report recalls the reason for the existence of Veterinary Medicines Availability CommitteeThe CODI-VET is a collegiate body integrated within the AEMPS whose main mission is to promote and facilitate the availability of veterinary medicines in all those species where there are therapeutic gaps or where, because they are small market niches, there is not enough commercial interest for the development of new products.
To achieve this, the committee promotes different types of actions: from the identification and prioritization of needsAs the annual report details, this includes support for research, experimentation, and development initiatives for new medicines to fill these gaps. It also promotes the registration and marketing of products in areas where, without this institutional support, they would be unlikely to materialize.
The work of CODI-VET is also framed within European strategies on veterinary medicines, which seek to balance the responsible use of antimicrobials, the protection of animal welfare, and the guarantee of sustainable livestock production. In this context, the therapeutic gaps in veterinary medicines They are viewed not only as a health problem, but also as an economic and public health challenge.
All committee reports, including those dedicated to therapeutic gaps and other priority needs, can be consulted in the publications section of veterinary medicines on the AEMPS website. From there, professionals and companies can access detailed information on each species and therapeutic area, using this information as a guide to inform their technical decisions and innovation projects.
The picture painted by CODI-VET shows that, although progress has been made in the availability of treatments for numerous species and diseases, Significant deficiencies persist in virtually all animal groupsAddressing these therapeutic gaps is key to improving animal health and welfare, strengthening food safety, and reducing the risk of disease transmission between animals and people, so the information provided by the report becomes a useful roadmap for both the administration and the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.