摘要：In its historic role, the Mediterranean used to be the unifying element of heterogenic cultures,
economies and societies surrounding its three continents’ borders. For the benefit of the leading idea laying
behind the present paper and in order to reinforce its original role, the whole Mediterranean area has
been deliberately considered as a geographic and legislative unicum relating to MUMS. Such an acronymus,
well established either in EU countries and internationally, stands for Minor Use/Minor Species
and is generally accepted in scientific and regulatory debates to incorporate any reference to a non-core
market of a veterinary medicinal product or to an animal species that, conventionally, has not been considered
as a major one. Difficulties to develop and market new products have resulted in an internationally
recognized severe shortage of drugs for MUMS and, as a consequence, in unacceptable animal suffering,
loss of animal life, and financial loss to farm industry. Furthermore, inadequate treatment of sick animals
may increase health risks to humans as well as other animals.
