CUSTOMER HEALTH AND SAFETY

Virbac constantly monitors CMR risks (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic chemicals) and, active ingredients excluded, actively works to reprocess or replace components falling in this category that may be present in its finished products. 2011 examples: in France, the complete reprocessing of the formula in the vermifuge Oxfenil; and in Europe, the elimination of coal tar in all shampoo products in the dermatology range.

With a view to promoting proper use of veterinarian medicines, Virbac carries out the following actions:
• encouraging awareness amongst veterinarians of newly emerging pathologies and training in new diagnostic methods for detection to improve use of medicines used in animal health;
• educational work for veterinarians and farmers regarding compliance (with regard to administration, dosage levels, duration and useful period). An approach that limits overuse of medicines and avoids the development of potential resistance to products;
• advice and support for veterinarians and farmers via systematic communication on best practices regarding the use of medicines for both food producing and companion animals (guides, data sheets, DVDs, training, etc.).

For example, in 2011 during the EBF (European Buiatrics Forum), Virbac dedicated an entire symposium on managing the health of udders and the responsible use of antibiotics. Several hundred veterinarians from all over Europe learned about these issues during the event.

The Corporate Quality Assurance department, created in 2011, will allow Virbac to have a full repor t on this indicator starting in 2012. For operations in France, out of a total of 520 reference products sold in the country in 2011, Virbac received seven notifications from the ANMV (French agency for veterinary medicine) for product samples found to be non-compliant, of which none posed any danger to animal health.

PRODUCT AND SERVICE LABELLING

In terms of the safety of products and their components, the Virbac policy is the following:
• provision of safety data sheets to Virbac employees (raw materials) and shippers (products);
• organisation of transportation in line with strict European regulations governing the transportation of hazardous products:
-- availability of safety data sheets of finished goods in French and in English;
-- packaging of hazardous products in packaging that meets current standards. As regards customers, Virbac performed a full review in 2011 of the labelling of so-called nutritional products to provide clearer information on indications and safe use (European directive 767). For its companion animal external parasiticide range, Virbac added information to the warning section regarding child safety. Dual protection was also directly added to certain products.

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Given the nature of pharmaceutical industrial activity, Virbac is subject to the promotional requirements defined by the domestic and international veterinary medical agencies. All claims must be scientifically proven and made available to regulatory authorities. The pharmaceutical qualified person at each Virbac subsidiary is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations regarding marketing communications in the country in question.

More details about product responsibility in the annual report 2011 (page 47)