Over 13,000 AbPrazole and Absucralfate products destined for sites across the UK were seized by VMD enforcement officers.
Across October and November 2024, the VMD, working with Border Force, seized multiple products marketed by Abler. The government agency received intelligence that these products were being illegally sold and imported via an equine Facebook group and via Abler's website (abler.com).
The two active substances seized were:
AbPrazole containing the active Omeprazole. This is indicated for the treatment and prevention of gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS).
Absucralfate containing the active Sucralfate. This is indicated for the treatment of equine glandular gastric ulcer disease (EGGUD), pyloric ulcers and equine squamous gastric ulcer disease (ESGUD).
The medicines were seized under Regulation 25 (1) (Importation of unauthorised veterinary medicinal products) of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) 2013, as amended.
The VMD would like to remind horse owners and equine vets that:
it is an offence to advertise unauthorised products online
it is an offence to import unauthorised veterinary medicines into the UK
it is an offence to administer unauthorised medicines to your horse, and this will also invalidate your insurance
the ingredients of unauthorised veterinary medicines may be unknown, and could therefore pose a risk to animals
veterinary medicines should only be sourced from a VMD registered online retailer
Animal owners, vets or any member of the public are able to report any suspected breaches of the VMR via our anonymous online reporting form or hotline on 01932 338 338.
The information and intelligence we receive is analysed and may be shared with our enforcement partners with the aim of protecting public health, animal health and the environment, and to promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines.
