News story

Availability of Lactating Cow Intramammary Antibiotics

Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs) have informed the VMD of supply problems with the following lactating cow intramammary antibiotics.

Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs) have informed the VMD of supply problems with the following lactating cow intramammary antibiotics.

Product Anticipated Resolution Date (subject to change)
Tetra-Delta Intramammary Suspension (42058/4152) Product discontinued – no return date
Ubro Yellow Milking Cow Intramammary Suspension (08327/4305) Product discontinued – no return date
Multiject IMM Intramammary Suspension (02000/4062) Spring 2023
Combiclav Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows (02000/4424) Autumn 2022
Cefimam LC, 75 mg Intramammary Ointment for Lactating Cows (02000/4387)* Product discontinued – no return date

The following lactating cow intramammary products have been reported as available for veterinary surgeons to purchase:

Product Contact Details
Ubropen 600 mg Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows (42810/4000) Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd 01344 746957 or vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Ubrolexin Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Dairy Cows (08327/4306) Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd 01344 746957 or vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Procapen Injector 3g intramammary suspension for cattle (24745/4023) FORTE Healthcare Limited +353 1 841 7666 or m.scott@fortehealthcare.com
Orbenin L.A. 200mg Intramammary Suspension (42058/4090) Zoetis UK Limited 0845 300 8034 or customersupportuk@zoetis.com
Synulox Lactating Cow Intramammary Suspension (42058/4143) Zoetis UK Limited 0845 300 8034 or customersupportuk@zoetis.com
Pathocef 250mg Intramammary Suspension (42058/4094)* Zoetis UK Limited 0845 300 8034 or customersupportuk@zoetis.com
Cobactan MC Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows (01708/4444)* MSD Animal Health UK Limited 01908 665050 or vet-support.uk@msd.com
Mastiplan LC, 300mg/20mg Intramammary Suspension (01708/4534) MSD Animal Health UK Limited 01908 665050 or vet-support.uk@msd.com
Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution (30282/4035) Huvepharma N.V. Rhod.Howells@huvepharma.com Telephone: 07795 520949

Note: * These are defined as a Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics for human medicine and, under the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme for beef and dairy, should be used as a last resort and supported by sensitivity and/or diagnostic testing.

For further details of the supply situation for individual UK-authorised products, please contact the MAH or a wholesale dealer.

During this time, the VMD acknowledges that the availability of veterinary medicines must be balanced with the protection of animal health, human health and the environment.

The VMD supports and encourages the responsible use of antibiotics. This however, requires veterinary surgeons to take into consideration, not only the most appropriate active substance(s) but also the most appropriate formulation, the posology, the current pattern of resistance in their locality, an awareness of how to reduce selection pressure (considering MICs and clinical breakpoints when available) and adjunctive requirements (such as good biosecurity and husbandry/hygiene, avoiding surgical sepsis etc). If a veterinary surgeon can demonstrate that these steps have been taken, then cascade use of antibiotics may be considered. Antibiotics should not be used to compensate for poor hygiene or inadequate husbandry and biosecurity measures.

Therefore, if veterinary surgeons deem the available products (listed above) unsuitable for their clinical need, and identify and wish to use an alternative product authorised outside of the UK to cover their immediate needs, an import certificate application may be submitted to the VMD.

Applications should only be submitted after attempts to obtain suitable UK authorised veterinary products have been unsuccessful, and each application will be assessed on its individual merits and justification. Cost or convenience are not considered suitable justification for use of the cascade. Veterinary surgeons are also reminded to consider the likely quantities needed and purchase appropriately.

For additional resources and information on responsible use of antibiotics, please visit GOV.UK.

Published 7 February 2020
Last updated 16 November 2021 + show all updates
  1. Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution (30282/4035) now available

  2. Update to anticipated availability for Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution to November 2021

  3. Update to anticipated resolution date for Tetra-Delta Intramammary Suspension and Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution

  4. Updated resolution date for Tetra-Delta and moved Orbenin L.A to available list

  5. Revised anticipated return date for Albiotic June/July 2021

  6. Orbenin LA moved to the list of products with supply problems; estimated return date of First Half of 2021

  7. Update to anticipated resolution date for Tetra-Delta Intramammary Suspension

  8. Update to Synulox Lactating Cow Intramammary Suspension (42058/4143) now available.

  9. Chane to anticipated resolution dates for Multiject IMM Intramammary Suspension, Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution and Combiclav Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows.

  10. Updated return dates for Multiject IMM and Combiclav

  11. Mastiplan LC, 300mg/20mg Intramammary Suspension (01708/4534) is now available again

  12. Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution (30282/4035) anticipated resolution date changed to Jan 2021 Mastiplan LC, 300mg/20mg Intramammary Suspension (01708/4534) anticipated resolution date changed to Feb 2021 Cobactan MC Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows (01708/4444)* now available

  13. Updated supply dates for: Cefimam LC, 75 mg Intramammary Ointment for Lactating Cows (discontinued), Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution, Cobactan MC , Mastiplan LC - Combiclav Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows

  14. Update to return dates for Combiclav Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows (02000/4424) and Multiject IMM Intramammary Suspension (02000/4062)

  15. Updated return dates for Synulox LC and Tetra Delta

  16. Availability of Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution changed to beginning of October 2020.

  17. Update to the return dates for Mastiplan LC (to Mid September 2020) and Cobactan MC (to End of September 2020)

  18. Amended Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution (30282/4035) to end of September 2020

  19. Availability dates amended; Combiclav Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows (02000/4424) now November 2020 and Multiject IMM Intramammary Suspension (02000/4062) now January 2021.

  20. Change to the resolution date of Albiotic 330 mg / 100 mg Intramammary Solution to end of July

  21. Updated anticipated resolution date for Multiject IMM Intramammary Suspension Combiclav Intramammary Suspension for Lactating Cows added

  22. Update to date of availability of Albiotic

  23. Notification of revised anticipated stock date for Synulox LC and Tetra Delta

  24. New date for the availibity of Albiotic 330mg/100mg Intramammary Solution

  25. Revised date for Albiotic: back in stock at the end of March 2020.

  26. Change of contact for Forte Health Care; to add Cefimam LC under available products.

  27. Revised anticipated resolution date for Synulox and Tetra Delta

  28. First published.