Ban On Using Aceclofenac In Cattle:
Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) has recently demanded a ban on using aceclofenac in cattle after a new study showed that the drug metabolises into diclofenac in water buffaloes as it does in cows.
- Aceclofenac is the prodrug of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac.
- Aceclofenac in water buffaloes poses the same threat to vultures as it is a pro-drug of diclofenac.
- Aceclofenac turns into diclofenac soon after it enters the livestock.
- Vulture Action Plan 2020-2025 also mentions the aceclofenac as ‘toxic’, along with other drugs like nimesulide and ketoprofen.
- Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory drug.
- It was banned for veterinary use by the Government of India in 2006.
- It was found to be the main cause of a dramatic decline (99 per cent) of the vulture population across Asia.
- The drug caused accidental poisoning in raptors after they fed on carcasses of cattle injected with it.
