Cascade system for the use of medicinal products by the veterinarian

The cascade system allows the veterinarian to deviate from the strict use of veterinary medicinal products authorised in Belgium. 

The veterinarian may exceptionally apply the cascade for the treatment of the animals concerned and does so on his own responsibility and to avoid unacceptable suffering.

If no veterinary medicinal product authorised in Belgium is available for the particular animal species for that particular indication, the veterinarian in charge can apply the cascade under specific conditions.

Treating a non-food-producing animal with a medicinal product that is not authorised in Belgium  

Legal framework: Article 112 of Regulation 2019/6

  • Level 1: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in Belgium or in another Member State for the same/different animal species and for the same/different indication.

If the medicine under level 1 does not exist.

  • Level 2: a medicinal product for human use authorised in a Member State of the European Union.

       If the medicine under level 2 does not exist.

  • Level 3: a veterinary medicinal product prepared extemporaneously in accordance with the terms of a veterinary prescription.

       If the medicine under level 3 does not exist.

  • Level 4: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in a third country for the same animal species and the same indication, excluding immunological veterinary medicinal products.

Treating a food-producing terrestrial animal with a medicinal product that is not authorised in Belgium

Legal framework: Article 113 of Regulation 2019/6

  • Level 1: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in Belgium or in another Member State of the European Union for the same/different food-producing terrestrial animal species for the same/different indication.

        If the medicine under level 1 does not exist.

  • Level 2: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in Belgium for a non-food-producing animal species and for the same indication.

       If the medicine under level 2 does not exist.

  • Level 3: a medicinal product for human use authorised in a Member State of the European Union.

If the medicine under level 3 does not exist.

  • Level 4: a veterinary medicinal product prepared extemporaneously in accordance with the terms of a veterinary prescription.

If the medicine under level 4 does not exist.

  • Level 5: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in a third country for the same animal species and the same indication, excluding immunological veterinary medicinal products.

For food-producing animals, active substances are subject to a maximum residue limit (MRL).

Treating a food-producing animal with a medicinal product that is not authorised in Belgium

 Legal framework: Article 114 of Regulation 2019/6  

  • Level 1: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in Belgium or in another Member State of the European Union for the same/different food-producing terrestrial animal species for the same/different indication.

       If the medicine under level 1 does not exist.

  • Level 2: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in Belgium or in another Member State for a food-producing terrestrial animal species and containing a substance included in the Implementing Decision.

       If the medicine under level 2 does not exist.

  • Level 3: a medicinal product for human use authorised in a Member State of the European Union.

       If the medicine under level 3 does not exist.

  • Level 4: a veterinary medicinal product prepared extemporaneously in accordance with the terms of a veterinary prescription.

       If the medicine under level 4 does not exist.

  • Level 5: a veterinary medicinal product authorised in a third country for the same animal species and the same indication, excluding immunological veterinary medicinal products.

For food-producing animals, active substances are subject to a maximum residue limit (MRL)

It is possible to retrieve veterinary medicinal products authorised in any Member State in the Union Product Database (UPD), the European database on veterinary medicinal products.

Last updated on 08/12/2022