Aktivait For Canine Dementia

[westiemum]

Hi Everyone,

Hope someone who knows more about this stuff than I do might be able to help with some quick advice as this whole situation is new to me... sorry for the long post but need to explain...

A little background - as some of you already know my beloved Mac is showing the early signs of canine dementia. Everything I've read says early intervention is critical and of course I'll do anything I can to help him lead an extended quality of life...

Aktivait in a non-prescription nutritional supplement available in the UK. I can find nothing like it available here in Australia. Although the few studies I can locate only suggest only weak benefits the adhoc evidence on the net shows it really seems to help some dogs. So I bought some over the net to try in the hope it might help Mac too. So no huge conspiracy or commercial quantities here.

Last Thursday I got a very official letter from AQIS - a seize/ destroy letter saying that as these capsules were 'vet therapeutics' and I needed a permit of some sort for them. I understand them to be non-prescription over the counter nutritional supplements. Also that unless I could prove from the company that they were completely 'mineral or synthetic' then they would be destroyed or I could pay $42.50 ( ) to have them returned to the company (And I hope get some of my money back - although thats not the primary concern). That's all they have told me - I don't know any other specifics of their concerns.

It honestly never occurred to me that non-prescription nutritional dog capsules would be a problem although I'm wondering if they think the capsules contain some sort of plant or animal content? I don't think so - but here's a list of the ingredients:

Each capsule contains: DHA/EPA 70mg L-carnitine 40mg Vitamin C 40mg N-acetyl $cysteine 40mg Alpha lipoic acid 20mg Vitamin E 20mg Acetyl-carnitine 10mg CoEnzyme Q10 2mg Phosphotidylserine 2mg Selenium (as selenomethionine) 50mcg

I suppose I'm a bit bewildered as on return from Vietnam some years ago I declared a bag of sealed Hanoi coffee (clearly processed 'plant' material) for my consumption, showed it to them at Sydney International Airport and was waved through. These are sealed non-organic capsules as far as I know and to me don't seem to be any different unless I'm mistaken (and happy to admit that I'm wrong if someone can enlighten me) - can someone identify the capsules' problem ingredient(s) for me by any chance?

I plan to ring AQIS in the next day or so to discuss with them. In the meantime, if any DOLers can help out with some learned advice/guesstimates on what AQIS might be conccerned about that would be really helpful.

NB Please no lectures on knowingly or unknowingly importing 'banned' items into Australia -I know that already (obviously) and it genuinely never occurred to me that these these would be a problem until I got the letter from AQIS - - so within the law I'm simply trying to clarify what concerns I might talk to AQIS about to understand their position and for future reference - and if I've made a mistake and the capsules need to be returned to the UK so the manufacturer knows not to send to Australia in the future then so be it. Although I admit it saddens me that I'm unlikely to be able to give Mac the only supplement I've found that might help him

Many thanks for any advice/insight any informed clever DOLers can give me.

Edited April 17, 2011 by westiemum

[Maddy]

I'd assume it'd be the acetylcysteine in the product as it's a Schedule 4 drug in Australia (prescription only).

Edited to clarify-

acetylcysteine - N-acetyl cysteine

Edited again to add..

(i) Acetylcysteine - consideration of scheduling

Outcome – The Committee considered a Schedule 2 classification was appropriate for oral

preparations.

Schedule 4 – Amendment

ACETYLCYSTEINE – amend entry to read:

ACETYLCYSTEINE except when included in Schedule 2.

Schedule 2 - New entry

ACETYLCYSTEINE in preparations for oral use.

But even with that change, still seems quite likely to me that AQIS would pull it up.

Edited April 17, 2011 by Hardy's Angel

[westiemum]

Thanks very much Hardy's Angel - really appreciate it. I might quickly email the manufacturer and see what they can do... worth a shot I think. Thanks again.

[Sheridan]

Thanks very much Hardy's Angel - really appreciate it. I might quickly email the manufacturer and see what they can do... worth a shot I think. Thanks again.

Can you get something from the vet to say he would prescribe them if they were available in Australia?

[westiemum]

Hmn... interesting... just had a chat with the man from AQIS who clarified that yes they are concerned that the Aktivait capsuels contain 'plant, animal or microbiological' content... He was very nice and said this happens all the time...

So have emailed the manufacturer with the AQIS requirements and we'll got from there.... either they'll be released or I'll need a permit.

Fingers and paws crossed they'll just be released.

[westiemum]

Hi Sheridan,

Yes that's a good Plan B - will see if just providing the manufacturer's information will satisfy them and go from there...

Thanks very much Hardy's Angel - really appreciate it. I might quickly email the manufacturer and see what they can do... worth a shot I think. Thanks again.

Can you get something from the vet to say he would prescribe them if they were available in Australia?

[Sheridan]

Hmn... interesting... just had a chat with the man from AQIS who clarified that yes they are concerned that the Aktivait capsuels contain 'plant, animal or microbiological' content... He was very nice and said this happens all the time...

So have emailed the manufacturer with the AQIS requirements and we'll got from there.... either they'll be released or I'll need a permit.

Fingers and paws crossed they'll just be released.

Let us know what hoops you have to jump through if it's a permit. Maybe the vet can get a permit?

[vetrg]

Just back from a big conference in the UK with data on Activait: it is due to be launched here soon. The paperwork is at work but will sort it through tomorrow and I can give you the name of the distributor here

[yellowgirl]

That sucks for you westiemum. Hope sweet Mac will get his supplements. Give the little guy a kiss for me

And yes, please let us know how you go..

[yellowgirl]

Just back from a big conference in the UK with data on Activait: it is due to be launched here soon. The paperwork is at work but will sort it through tomorrow and I can give you the name of the distributor here

Fab news vetrg! Could you give me the name of the distributer also?

[Sheridan]

Just back from a big conference in the UK with data on Activait: it is due to be launched here soon. The paperwork is at work but will sort it through tomorrow and I can give you the name of the distributor here

This is great news. Please keep us informed.

Westiemum, you should advise AQIS when vetrg comes back with the info!

[dasha]

Basically any products designed for animal use need an import permit.

A permit will have conditions on what it is made from, a declaration from manufacturer as well who can use it etc.

ANY product that arrives here from overseas must meet these import conditions, even if the product is readily available here.

Even if it was purchased here and was posted to another country and then returned it is still considered foreign mail.

The best chance you have of getting it is the declaration from manufacturer stating it is 100% synthetic and is not derived from plant, animal or microbial products. Then you should be able to have then released. But you will need another letter next time too.

A letter from your vet would be a waste of time and there is no point for youe vet to pay for a permit so you can have your dogs meds.

Edited April 19, 2011 by dasha

[westiemum]

Thanks dasha - yes thats completely correct - you've confirmed in one post what I've found out the hard way over the last couple of days I had trouble with ICON, the AQIS database thingo so I've emailed them to see what is involved in getting an import permit and whether or not it will be worth pursuing. I suspect not as if, as you say it requires information from the manufacturer then I have none and buckleys of getting any help from them - they are not being at all helpful. Its taken two emails to get out of him (the international sales manager ) that Akitvait is classed as a' feed additive' and requires registration in Australia. He still won't say whether or not its plant animal or microbial but if it requires registration then it obviously has something in it that AQIS quite rightly would not be happy with. All he's interested in is berrating me for buying Aktivait from a legitimate online company (who they supply!) but he says (quite rightly) shouldn't have supplied the product to me in Australia. This company was really rude when I previously asked about Aktivait dosages for Mac so it never occurred to me to go back there or to enquire about ability to import into Australia - so yes, my mistake. And I'll know next time.

So thanks dasha - really appreciate your clear post. Will wait to hear from the AQIS ICON people and go from there.

Basically any products designed for animal use need an import permit.

A permit will have conditions on what it is made from, a declaration from manufacturer as well who can use it etc.

ANY product that arrives here from overseas must meet these import conditions, even if the product is readily available here.

Even if it was purchased here and was posted to another country and then returned it is still considered foreign mail.

The best chance you have of getting it is the declaration from manufacturer stating it is 100% synthetic and is not derived from plant, animal or microbial products. Then you should be able to have then released. But you will need another letter next time too.

A letter from your vet would be a waste of time and there is no point for youe vet to pay for a permit so you can have your dogs meds.

Edited April 20, 2011 by westiemum

[westiemum]

vetr that is terrific news - but it is at odds with the information on their website which does not suggest they are actively looking for Australian distributors - so I hope the information you have on distributors is more accurate and up-to-date - and its their website which is growing cobwebs. The emails I have from their international sales manager also suggest they haven't even started the product registration process in Australia. Anyway time will tell.

Would really really appreciate you posting the latest info you have from your conference and any new Australian distributors.

TIA.

Just back from a big conference in the UK with data on Activait: it is due to be launched here soon. The paperwork is at work but will sort it through tomorrow and I can give you the name of the distributor here

[westiemum]

Thanks Sheridan - yep good idea if I pursue a permit - but at this stage its looking doubtful.

Just back from a big conference in the UK with data on Activait: it is due to be launched here soon. The paperwork is at work but will sort it through tomorrow and I can give you the name of the distributor here

This is great news. Please keep us informed.

Westiemum, you should advise AQIS when vetrg comes back with the info!

[westiemum]

Thanks Jo - yes it sucks but I completely understand the AQIS position - we are so horrible disease and pest free because of their vigilance - I have no problem with it. The problem I do have is with rude UK companies who don't seem to know the meaning of 'customer service'! (Could you give them a lesson or two??!!). And yes I have been unfailingly polite in my emails in case anyone is wondering.

Unless vetr's information that the registration and distributor process for Aktivait is accurate and its further down the track than I think it is, I think Mac is going to miss out. I would need information from the manufacturer for the import permit and I tell you, that's highly unlikely! . They won't help.

That sucks for you westiemum. Hope sweet Mac will get his supplements. Give the little guy a kiss for me

And yes, please let us know how you go..

Edited April 20, 2011 by westiemum

[dasha]

A permit will prob cost about $110 and I think a pemit has to be obtained prior to import, not as an afterthought. If the product is of great value, a permit MAY be worthwhile to try for but otherwise it may just be a write off.

Online overseas sellers make a lot of money selling products around the world. They don't tell people tha tthe country it is going to may not accept it as they want to make money. Some may refund you if you send the goods back but then that wil cost you $42.50 so again prob not worth it.

Good luck with it

[westiemum]

Yep right again on all counts dasha except apparently if you show AQIS there was no 'evil' intent they will sometimes hold the product while you obtain a permit - the nice AQIS man told me that yesterday and a very clever DOLer said so as well. But no guarantees. So I'll wait to hear from AQIS I think to confirm the 'destroy them' option. Pity. But at least I know now for next time and I hope that helps others who might be desperate as I am to help their dogs in any way they can - ultimately Mac is what this has been all about.

Thanks everyone for your posts and for being so supportive and non-judgemental about my stupid mistake! I'll just try and be a bit smarter in the enquiries I make beforehand next time!

A permit will prob cost about $110 and I think a pemit has to be obtained prior to import, not as an afterthought. If the product is of great value, a permit MAY be worthwhile to try for but otherwise it may just be a write off.

Online overseas sellers make a lot of money selling products around the world. They don't tell people tha tthe country it is going to may not accept it as they want to make money. Some may refund you if you send the goods back but then that wil cost you $42.50 so again prob not worth it.

Good luck with it

Edited April 20, 2011 by westiemum

[dasha]

Correct. They CAN hold them for you to obtain a permit. Just let them know otherwise after 30 days if they haven't heard from you....................bye bye product.

Try looking up the ingedients and see if there is a similar alternative available in Australia first maybe. Or try a natural therapy person. There are some animal naturopaths about.

[westiemum]

Thanks again - no similar alternative here in Australia that me or my vet can find. The animal naturopath idea is a good one... anyone know of one in Adelaide?

Cheers again.

Correct. They CAN hold them for you to obtain a permit. Just let them know otherwise after 30 days if they haven't heard from you....................bye bye product.

Try looking up the ingedients and see if there is a similar alternative available in Australia first maybe. Or try a natural therapy person. There are some animal naturopaths about.