Dr Marcel Dethinne from Union Cecab Prestor, France,
was just one of more than 400 veterinarians from 11 countries who assessed the
performance of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) in over 200,000 pigs. The results were
unveiled recently in Paris.
“There is always some understandable
hesitation, as well as curiosity, whenever we are presented with something new
and different,†he said.
Actual performance
“Draxxin
was the first injectable antibiotic to be approved for preventive use. It looked
good on paper, but the real proof is always how these new ideas perform on real
farms under everyday conditions.â€
The application for a preventive
licence for Draxxin was supported by a number of scientific studies carried out
in accordance with EMEA guidelines by Pfizer Animal Health. However, the company
wanted to see how the product would perform in a range of commercial pig farms,
in different European countries, under real life conditions, as Dimitri Popov,
Product Manager for Swine Anti-infectives for Europe, Africa and the Middle East
explained:
“Preventing swine respiratory disease using an injectable
antibiotic was a new concept for European swine veterinarians and producers, so
we wanted as many of them as possible to put Draxxin to the test on their own
farms - hence the decision to conduct a series of reality
trials.â€
Commercially viable alternative
“The aim was
simply to see if they thought this was a commercially viable alternative to oral
antibiotics in farms with different management systems, housing, and disease
complex. We wanted veterinarians and farmers to see for themselves how well
Draxxin will prevent SRD compared to the norm, which has been oral
antibiotics.
At Pfizer, we knew it worked well in the lab and in
scientific trials but we wanted to see how well Draxxin's superiority holds up
where it matters most … in the field. That's why we were involved in over
1000 reality trials; the highest number Pfizer had ever conducted in the EU
swine market.â€
The trials took place over a 10 month period and in 71%
Draxxin was reported to be superior to oral anti-infectives. In 26% there was no
difference between treatments and in 3% Orals were considered better.
When the veterinarians who took part in the trials were asked if they would
use Draxxin in the future to prevent SRD, 85% said yes.
“The results from
this study show that a long-acting antibiotic, given by injection is a way
forward for many swine producers who currently use in-water or in-feed products
to manage disease in their herd,†said Dr Dethinne.
“We can now recommend
this different approach to our clients with confidence - knowing that it has
been tried and tested in the real world.â€
Long
durationThe long duration of action of Draxxin means that a single
injection is sufficient to cure or prevent respiratory infection caused by
susceptible pathogens. It also means less need for handling animals and much
better compliance, said Dr Dethinne.
Technical Services Manager for
Pfizer Animal Health in Belgium and Luxemburg, Willem Neirynck, was closely
involved in a substantial number of the reality trial.
“This kind of
trial is extremely valuable for veterinarians and their clients because it gives
them the chance to see how new products perform under real commercial
conditions.â€
“Understandably, many veterinarians are cautious regarding
new ways in which products can be used, and are reluctant to use their clients
as guinea pigs. So even products that make a big difference to swine production
can be slow to catch on.â€
“I think the animal health industry should be
conducting this type of investigation more often to check the commercial
validity of their innovations in the real world.â€
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