Letters from readers:

Hello,
Where can I purchase phytopica in the USA? - Rhoda

Hello,
My name is Alana and I have just read an article called Canine Skin Disorders in issue 24 page 14 of your magazine. I have a dog with chronic atopic dermatitis and would love to be able to try this product. Do you have a contact as to who markets/distributes this product or how I can get in contact with them? Any help will be greatly appreciated. - Alana, NZ

Hello Alana and Rhoda,
The product Phytopica has only been launched this year at the world's largest companion animal congress, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) in Birmingham, 20-23 April 2006. Phytopica has an excellent safety profile and is recognised as suitable for all dogs whatever size or breed. It was produced by Phytopharm, but all the marketing and distribution is being handled by Schering-Plough, an international company.

In UK it is available on the Internet through:
www.animalmedicines.co.uk (£23.50 sachet inc vat, free postage in UK),
www.vetuk.co.uk (£20.99 sachet, free postage in UK), and
www.petmeds.co.uk (£23.70 sachet inc vat), as well as through quite a few other veterinary companies.

Following the UK launch, Schering-Plough was scheduled to begin to market and distribute Phytopica in Europe and the USA. I don't know how long breaking into a new country with a new product takes, but maybe it has not launched yet in the USA. I tried to get some information by emailing the companies but neither of them replied.

As yet there seems to be no plan to launch the product in New Zealand, but the NZ branch of the company is called Schering-Plough Coopers.

It seems for both of you that the immediate answer is to order on the internet from UK, but keep visiting the websites for any announcements on the new product, and keep asking your vet, as this product is one that is endorsed by the BSAVA so presumably will be treated likewise in NZ and USA. - Ed