A company has been reprimanded for making unauthorised medicinal claims for its equine grooming oil.

Great Horse Products has since complied with the improvement notice published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) last week (6 January).

The VMD said that the East Sussex based firm was presenting its Oil2Horse product for the treatment and prevention of the equine skin diseases mud fever and sweet itch, and for the relief of dermatitis caused by mites.

“Oil2Horse is not authorised as a veterinary medicine in the UK for use in the treatment or prevention of these conditions,” said the VMD.

Great Horse Products was told to remove from all Oil2Horse marketing material all references to the equine skin diseases mud fever, sweet itch, mallanders, sallanders and the relief of dermatitis caused by mites.

The VMD stipulated that this includes any ‘educational’ documentation presented in association with the product. Substitution with wording that conveys the same medicinal claims will be considered a failure to comply, it warned.

Great Horse Products was also told to remove any testimonials reproduced in the promotion of Oil2Horse that make reference to the conditions listed.

The company was asked to provide written confirmation to the VMD Enforcement Team that Oil2Horse will no longer be presented for use in the treatment and prevention of the conditions listed until such time as it has been authorised as a veterinary medicine under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

The VMD is a Government agency that promotes animal health and welfare by assuring the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines.