One Health

“The expression ONE HEALTH refers to the concept that human health is linked inextricably to the health of animals and the environment; an essential and strategic approach…”

The One Health concept coincides with what has been FATRO’s mission for over 30 years: “Animal Health your Health”.
FATRO’s objective, driven by ethical and farsighted considerations, is to guarantee the well-being and health of animals. In keeping with our company philosophy and the values that have always formed an integral part of FATRO, we neither manufacture nor sell medicines for animal euthanasia. Similarly, FATRO does not market any veterinary products that could be administered to human beings for illicit or hazardous purposes, such as anabolic steroids, hallucinogens or narcotics.
But being healthy means more than just being fit! For this reason, we have expanded the concept of health to include the well-being of both animals and human beings, and this, naturally, extends also to the environment, to which both are linked inextricably.

ONE HEALTH

Animal health is closely linked to human health in terms of reciprocally transmissible diseases or zoonoses (West Nile fever, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease etc.), and the methods used to treat them. A case in point is the use of antibiotics. While these medicines play an important role in treating both human and veterinary diseases, it is equally important to ensure that efforts to combat antibiotic resistance are coordinated between the two sectors. Thus, as soon as we begin to expand the concept of health, it is immediately apparent that animal and human well-being are the same thing.

ONE HEALTH in HFP animals
(Human Food Producing)

The link between HFP animals and human health lies in the food products that are derived from them (meat, eggs, milk, honey, etc.) For this reason, it is necessary to adopt a therapeutic approach that, in addition to treating the animals, ensures such products no longer contain any traces of the drugs used to cure them when they reach our dining tables. It is important to bear in mind that “prevention is better than cure”, and this entails only using antibiotics “when and where necessary”, to avoid giving rise to phenomena of antibiotic resistance. While there is widespread awareness of these phenomena nowadays, this was not the case in the mid-80s when FATRO introduced its first veterinary probiotic, designed to prevent diseases through natural methods, thus reducing the use of antibiotics. Unfortunately, this preventive treatment approach was too far ahead of its time and failed to achieve the success it deserved. During the same period, the increasing focus on prevention resulted in the creation of the FATRO Biologicals Division, which enjoyed rapid growth and now produces and sells vaccines for all HFP species, both in Italy and a large number of other countries. FATRO launched the Fatroximin^® line introducing a new concept in antibiotic therapy. Rifaximin, the active substance of this line, is an antibiotic that does not cross organic barriers and hence remains concentrated in the area where it is administered, without passing into circulation. This means that the food products derived from the treated animal are free from any trace of the drug, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and environmental contamination through excretion to a minimum.

Remaining in the period between the late 80s and the early 90s, FATRO’s pioneering efforts to promote animal well-being saw the introduction of Dalmazin^® (Dalmaprost^®), based on the use of active isomers designed to obtain the maximum therapeutic effect while eliminating virtually all side effects and avoiding unnecessary suffering on the part of the treated animal. During the same period Simpanorm^®, the first product capable of normalizing the sympathetic system while protecting the animal from the negative effects of stress, was also launched.

FATRO’s commitment to the well-being of HFP animals and to safeguarding human and environmental health is a long-standing one, grown with the passage of time, acquiring greater importance with each passing year so that now, our careful and meticulous development processes result in a wide variety of products and associated services (diagnostics, protocols, specialized training etc.) that represent the maximum expression of respect for animals, human beings and the environment.

ONE HEALTH in domestic animals
(Pets and non-HFP animals)

Pets are considered part of the family, living in close contact with family members, sharing their emotions and being subject to the same lifestyle-related stresses and even pathologies, such as obesity, diabetes etc. Hence products like Killitam for car-sickness and Continence^® for urinary incontinence in female dogs are just two products designed to treat conditions associated with domestic life and promote the well-being of both humans and animals. Pets are particularly prone to insect-borne parasitic diseases, like filariasis (Heartworm disease HWD) for this FATRO has developed Afilaria^® SR, a treatment based on a complex, prolonged release technological solution that means animals can be treated on once-a-year basis.

FATRO’s solution for the treatment of leishmaniasis consists of the product Antishmania^®, which eliminates the parasite.

ONE HEALTH FATRO,
for human health and well-being

While FATRO’s products are intended exclusively for the veterinary sector, the company’s activities also affect human health and well-being indirectly, as we have already seen, and directly through initiatives dedicated to company and non-company personnel. 

In addition to a maximum commitment to the prevention of professional accidents and illnesses, FATRO also cares for the well-being of its employees though attentive maintenance of working and recreation environments, and by providing its personnel with a range of benefits and opportunities, with particular ones for the younger generation and their cultural development. 
FATRO covers the cost of all middle and high school textbooks for all its employees’ children, as well as contributing to the higher education costs of the brightest students.

The Company’s community-oriented activities include significant economic contributions to the reconstruction efforts in the areas of Emilia Romagna affected by the earthquakes in 2012 in addition to numerous other philanthropic, cultural and scientific initiatives.

The Corrado and Bruno Maria Zaini Foundation, named in honor of the founding family, represents the maximum expression of FATRO’s commitment to human health and well-being. The Foundation, infact, finances research into cures for various rare and less-rare diseases, activities and centers for people with disabilities, aid to third world countries and organizations that combat violence against women and children etc.

• Environmental certification

FATRO has developed its own Environmental Management System that ensures compliance with current regulations and guarantees the continuous improvement of its environmental performance. In 2010, the system obtained ISO 14001 Environmental Certification.

• “Responsible care” program

Since 1995, FATRO has adhered to the voluntary Responsible Care program, which aims to promote sustainable development through the continuous improvement of performance in the areas of safety, health, and the environment.
This involves a commitment to reducing risks, emissions, waste, and energy consumption, as well as managing products responsibly throughout their entire life cycle.

• Cogeneration plant

FATRO has installed a cogeneration plant at its Ozzano Emilia (BO) facility, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its energy needs.

• Photovoltaic plant

The photovoltaic systems installed at FATRO facilities reduce CO² emissions into the atmosphere.

• Water saving

FATRO is committed to promoting the responsible use of water; to this end, at its Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO) facility, it has installed groundwater level monitoring systems in its wells. It has also installed cooling water recovery systems that reduce well withdrawals.

• Environmental report

For years, FATRO has prepared an annual Environmental Report for its production sites in Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO) and Maclodio (BS), gathering the most significant parameters related to the FATRO Group’s impact on the areas surrounding its manufacturing facilities.