Vetnews | Augustus 2025 26 « BACK TO CONTENTS Johannesburg, South Africa – The South African veterinary community can now breathe a collective sigh of relief, thanks to the unwavering efforts of V-Tech. Following pivotal findings by a Ministerial Appeal Committee in V-Tech›s favour, the continued access to Trilostane - the cornerstone treatment for Cushing’s disease - is now assured. This significant outcome, achieved by V-Tech’s dedicated advocacy, confirms their right to compound and sell Trilostane formulations, bringing muchneeded clarity and stability for managing hyperadrenocorticism mainly in canine patients, but also in feline and equine cases. Cushing’s disease, a debilitating condition stemming from an overactive adrenal gland, requires consistent management with Trilostane to alleviate symptoms and enable affected animals to maintain a good quality of life. While there was a period of concern regarding Trilostane availability, V-Tech’s commitment to the veterinary sector has led to these recent findings by the Ministerial Appeal Committee, which provide a clear path forward for its continued provision. The dispute with SAHPRA emanated from an embargo placed by SAHPRA on a consignment of Trilostane imported by V-Tech in 2023. This consignment was subsequently released following a Court application brought by V-Tech and a subsequent settlement at the time, releasing the batch to V-Tech. However, a second shipment of Trilostane imported by V-Tech in 2024, SAHPRA instructed that it may not be used to produce the critical Cushing’s disease medication supplied by V-Tech to veterinarians. After V-Tech approached the Minister of Health, Dr. Motshaledi, to intervene in the deadlock, a Ministerial Appeal Committee was appointed to review the situation and confirmed on 18 July 2025 that V-Tech has the explicit right to prepare and sell Trilostane. “These findings represent a significant step forward for animal welfare and the veterinary profession,” stated Dr. Johan Oosthuyse, CEO of V-Tech. “It directly affirms V-Tech’s ability to provide essential, life-saving medication to our patients. However, we remain committed to working with SAHPRA to find solutions for the unique circumstances the veterinary community find themselves in. We aim to ensure that vets can continue to offer their animal patients world-class care.” Vets in South Africa face unique challenges in treating diverse animal species, which often differ from human medical care. These veterinarians can now confidently continue to prescribe Trilostane, supplied by V-Tech, knowing that its availability is secured, allowing for uninterrupted management of Cushing’s disease in their patients. v Ministerial Appeal Committee Findings: V-Tech Secures Continued Access to Life-Saving Trilostane for Pets
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