Week 41:
Europe Maps Veterinary Medicine Shortages – Ducks and Geese in Focus
The limited availability of authorised and suitable veterinary medicines is a recurring problem for several animal species with smaller pharmaceutical markets. The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) has now launched an initiative to identify which medicines are missing, why they are unavailable, and which treatment needs remain unmet across Europe. Ducks and geese are among the species receiving particular attention.
A European Initiative to Improve Access to Veterinary Medicines
Across Europe, access to veterinary medicines remains limited for species that represent smaller pharmaceutical markets. Some products are authorised only in certain countries, while other conditions lack authorised treatment options for the species concerned.
This can have significant consequences for animal health and welfare. Even when veterinary knowledge exists about how a disease could potentially be treated, veterinarians may not have access to a suitable or authorised medicine.
To address these challenges, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) has launched the VetMed+ Coalition, an initiative aimed at identifying and prioritising veterinary medicine needs across several animal species in Europe.
The initiative covers species including sheep and goats, turkeys, rabbits, donkeys, bees, and waterfowl such as ducks and geese. Through species-specific working groups, FVE aims to identify gaps in medicine availability, investigate their underlying causes, and explore potential solutions.
The overall goal is to develop an evidence-based resource that can help pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities improve access to essential veterinary medicines.
A Dedicated Working Group for Ducks and Geese
As part of the broader initiative, a dedicated subgroup called GeeDu VetMed+ will focus specifically on the veterinary treatment needs of ducks and geese.
The subgroup will identify priority veterinary medicines that are unavailable or difficult to obtain, investigate the reasons behind these shortages, and highlight conditions for which suitable treatment options remain limited.
Its work will also explore potential alternatives and measures to improve medicine availability. Priorities will be determined by factors such as disease prevalence, animal welfare, treatment efficacy and safety, and market availability.
The assessment will draw on an online survey and expert evaluations from different European countries. The aim is to complete an initial priority list for ducks and geese by the end of 2026.
My opinions and tought
What Does This Mean for Those of Us Keeping Waterfowl?
The inclusion of ducks and geese in a wider European initiative is a positive development. These birds can otherwise receive relatively little attention when veterinary medicines are developed, researched, and authorised for larger pharmaceutical markets.
However, the initiative also raises a broader question: Is the problem simply a shortage of authorised medicines, or does it also involve a lack of scientific knowledge and practical opportunities to treat these animals?
Many medicines that could potentially be used in veterinary practice have been developed for other species. For ducks and geese, however, there may be insufficient research into appropriate dosages, treatment efficacy, and safety.
This means that a medicine may be commercially available while the scientific evidence needed to use it appropriately in a particular species remains limited.
For bird owners, this can create a situation in which treatment options are restricted, not necessarily because a potentially effective medicine does not exist, but because there is insufficient knowledge about its use.
When a Farm Animal Is Also a Companion Animal
Another important consideration is that ducks and geese are still largely regarded as food-producing animals within veterinary medicine and regulatory frameworks.
But not all ducks and geese are kept for food production.
Some owners keep these birds as companion animals, where the health and quality of life of the individual animal are the primary concern. Just as with dogs and cats, owners may be willing to pursue extensive diagnostic testing, specialist examinations, and long-term medical treatment.
This creates a gap between the traditional role of these animals within veterinary medicine and the level of individualised care that some owners now seek.
The issue extends beyond medicine availability. It also concerns veterinary expertise, species-specific research, and access to individualised medical care.
A duck or goose has the same need for appropriate medical treatment whether it is kept for food production or as a cherished companion animal.
A Step Towards Better Veterinary Care for More Species
FVE’s initiative is a welcome step towards recognising the medical needs of species that often receive less attention in veterinary pharmaceutical development.
By identifying which medicines are missing and understanding the reasons behind these gaps, the organisation aims to provide information that pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities can use to improve veterinary medicine availability across Europe.
However, it is important to emphasise that this initiative does not automatically mean that new medicines will be authorised or become available. The assessment is primarily a first step towards identifying existing problems and potential solutions.
Hopefully, the initiative will also encourage a broader discussion about how to ensure appropriate veterinary care for species with limited treatment options, including greater attention to medicine availability, scientific research, and veterinary expertise.
Ultimately, access to veterinary medicine is not simply about which products exist on the market. It is also about whether an animal can actually receive the examination and treatment it needs.
The inclusion of ducks and geese in this wider European effort is therefore an important step towards a future in which their medical needs receive greater recognition, regardless of whether they are kept as production animals or companions.
