Veterinary Medicinal Products to Treat Varroosis on the Ukrainian Market in the Context of Risk Factors Analysis for Honey Bees

Abstract

Purpose. To collect information on available on the Ukrainian market veterinary medicinal products to treat honey bee varroosis caused by Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman, 2000; to systematize the information and compile the list of the veterinary medicinal products taking into account the content of active substances, dosage form and producer. Methods. Analysis of the information obtained in 2015–2020 by surveying beekeepers, direct communication with them, browsing Internet resources, visiting veterinary pharmacies; creation of an information database of anti-Varroa medicinal products. Results. As for September 2020, at least 136 items of veterinary medicinal products to treat varroosis are available on the market in Ukraine, of which 79 are imported. They contain ten active substances (amitraz – in 37 products, fluvalinate – 30, flumethrin – 12, bromopropylate – 5, coumaphos – 2, acrinatrin – 1, thymol – 14, formic acid – 6, lactic acid – 6, oxalic acid – 9), vegetable essential oils and other substances. However, as for February 2020, only 17 anti-Varroa products have been included into the State Register of Veterinary Medicinal Products Permitted for Use in Ukraine. Analogs with the same concentration of the same active substance from different producers have been identified; drugs with the same name but different origins, differing both in the concentration of the active substance and in the dosage form; numerous technical errors in the indication of initial concentrations on the sites of online stores, as well as other risks associated with the dishonesty of sellers. Conclusions. The obtained results stress the need to strengthen control over the market of veterinary medicaments to treat honey bee varroosis in Ukraine.