Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002247/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Martin Hojsík (Renew), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Markéta Gregorová (Verts/ALE), Günther Sidl (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Flavio Tosi (PPE), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D), Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE)
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a highly lethal viral disease caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus, affecting up to 2 % of cats, with over 95 % mortality in symptomatic cases. To date, no veterinary treatment has been officially authorised, despite the demonstrated efficacy of GS-441524, a derivative of Remdesivir.
This therapy has been approved in the United Kingdom and was temporarily authorised by the EU in Cyprus during a 2023 outbreak. However, within the EU, it remains restricted to human use only. This leads to a dangerous black market, exposing animals to health risks, lack of quality control and unaffordable costs.
European veterinary associations and animal welfare associations are calling for veterinarians to be granted legal access to this life-saving treatment.
- 1.Is the Commission aware of this issue and does it intend to take any action, including steps to counter the black market that has developed?
- 2.Given the deadlock in the Member States, does it consider that a centralised European authorisation procedure for veterinary use of this medicine could help overcome the current situation and ensure safe and legal treatment options for cats?
Submitted: 4.6.2025