The annual conference of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Agricultural and Veterinary Pharmacists Group was held in Milton Keynes on November 6 and 7. Steven Kayne reports
Mr Roger Odd (head of professional and scientific support, Royal Pharmaceutical Society) gave a "State of Ag and Vet Pharmacy" address.
Mr Odd said that the veterinary medicines market was changing for a number of reasons. Concern about food scares and overexuberant antibiotic use were two reasons. Demand from the public for rapid access to safe and effective medicines also had to be accommodated in an expanding pet care market. There were many opportunities for pharmacists who had the necessary knowledge and skill to offer added value to the veterinary client. Most importantly, pharmacists were the only health professionals that could link human and animal treatments.
Mr Odd told the audience that there were a number of what he called "blockages to progress". Many pharmacists believed they had too little knowledge and too little time to develop an interest that they did not consider to be a part of their core pharmacy business. Return on investment was slow; a build up of interest among customers was necessary to secure market share. Competition from veterinary surgeries and pet shops as well as supermarkets was intense, and sales through the internet were growing all the time.
Mr Odd said that a recent meeting with the National Office for Animal Health had indicated that the industry was unlikely to help unless pharmacists demonstrated a real commitment to pet care. Asking the industry to give pharmacists dedicated pharmacy lines was not going to be successful until existing products were taken into stock. Major barriers to successful market entry were that the public did not see a link between human and veterinary medicines and did not perceive pharmacies as providing pet care.
Mr Odd then looked to Europe. He explained that the distribution of veterinary medicines varied across continental Europe, with some countries requiring all such medicines to be distributed through pharmacies.
It was acknowledged that the way forward was not easy. Nevertheless, nothing would be gained if they did not try. Mr Odd encouraged pharmacists to:
Mr Odd concluded with an apt statement: "He who hesitates is last." He warned that if pharmacists continued to ignore this market, others who were far less qualified would most certainly become more deeply involved.
During the discussion following Mr Odd's presentation, several participants stated that veterinary medicine should be included in the pharmacy undergraduate course. Dr Michael Jepson (agricultural and veterinary pharmacy diploma course leader) told the meeting that some years ago he and Mr Brian Spencer (a group committee member) had provided a draft syllabus for the Society's Education Committee but he had no knowledge of what had happened to the document. It was agreed that this should be followed up.
The group chairman (Mr Andrew Cairns), taking up a point mentioned by Mr Odd, explained that approaches had already been made to some main line pharmaceutical wholesalers about the possibility of stocking veterinary products to improve distribution. He was hopeful of a favourable outcome. Mr Cairns indicated that the committee would be happy to talk to any company interested in a veterinary involvement.
It was suggested that, as there was definite interest in small animals, perhaps a subgroup should be formed. This suggestion was noted by the group secretary. Other suggestions included a change of name to the "Veterinary Pharmacy Group".