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Michael H. Jepson, PhD, FRPharmS, is visiting
fellow and former head of
pharmacy practice at the University of Aston, Birmingham
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Veterinary pharmacy has certainly existed for several centuries, which
may come as a surprise to many pharmacists. Chemists and druggists, and
apothecaries, were already involved in the preparation and supply of
simple remedies and medicines for animal treatment as evidenced from
17th and 18th century formularies. The extent of many pharmacists’ involvement
has varied considerably over the years, affected by many influences,
including urbanisation, legislation, the therapeutic revolution and major
changes in the manufacture of medicines as well as the pressures of the
NHS and, of course, huge changes in farming practice. The forward vision
of some leading veterinary pharmacists in the 1970s resulted in the establishment
of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s postgraduate diploma course
in agricultural and veterinary pharmacy in 1981. Over the years the course
programme has evolved and has given more emphasis to pet health care.
 There is an ever growing number of companion animals in the community,
all of which require regular prophylactic treatment in order to control
and contain many naturally occurring internal and external parasites,
both for animal welfare and public health reasons. When coupled with
the increased recognition of the pharmacists’ involvement in public
health and the need to give more attention to problems such as those
associated with zoonoses, ie, animal transmitted diseases, every pharmacist
in the community has potentially a role to play. It has been estimated
that at least one in four of a community pharmacy’s patients and
customers has a cat or a dog and the UK market for companion animal health
products is valued at over £180m. The cat population of 7.7 million
now exceeds that of dogs by almost a million. There are about 750,000
horses — mostly in urban paddocks — about 10 million racing
and show pigeons and 2 million other small animal pets, which includes
a growing number of rabbits and ferrets.
Many aspects of veterinary pharmacy are analogous to main-stream, human-oriented
pharmacy. Thus many pharmaceutical formulations and presentations for
human and animal use are similar in many respects, though likely to differ
markedly in the scale of dosage and route of administration. Of course,
major pharmacological differences occur between animal species, especially
when considering, for example, the comparison between herbivores and
carnivores or fish and food-producing bees. They may all represent different
treatment strategies, which are likely to require the use of medicinal
products with marketing
authorisations specifically for the animal species concerned. Diagnosis
and therapeutic treatments are understandably the main prerogative of
the veterinary surgeon, but disease prevention and prophylactic control
is not so restricted.
Pharmacists are in a key position to act as a link between pets, owners
and other health professionals as appropriate. Professional cooperation
with veterinary surgeons and their practices is of paramount importance
and is of special benefit to the animal “patient” and owner.
Some areas in which pharmacists can contribute include:
· Animal contact and public health
· Routine prophylactic treatment of internal and external parasites
· Advice on matters of hygiene and issues about zoonoses
· Guidance on dosage and administration
· Information on welfare issues and travel
· The need for prompt referral to a vet when necessary
Postgraduate courses
 Now there is a new opportunity for pharmacists to undertake training
in veterinary pharmacy which will once again enable them to offer news
skills. Organised by the Society, pharmacists can study, by distance
learning, two modules (1 and 2 below) leading to a certificate in companion
animal health care — following the successful completion of the
relevant course assignments.
In addition, for those who wish to gain even more experience and study
the full diploma course programme, there are two further modules (3 and
4 below), a minimum of 75 hours’ practical experience and a practically
oriented dissertation on offer. Successful completion of these — plus
relevant course assignments and examinations — are required for
the award of the Society’s diploma in veterinary pharmacy (D Vet
Pharm).
Module titles give some indication of the course emphasis as follows:
· Module 1 — companion animals and public health
· Module 2 — companion animal health care
· Module 3 — veterinary pharmacy
· Module 4 — livestock health and husbandry
Modules 3 and 4 involve an intensive residential week’s study
at Harper Adams University College in Newport, Shropshire, which has
proved to be a relevant base with its own livestock units. These two
modules are held consecutively to facilitate participation by pharmacists
from overseas as well as the British Isles. The booking of the six-night
residential week, planned to start on 5 September 2004, is due to cost
each participant about £350 full board.
The registration fee for all four modules, paid for at the time of registration
is £800. If a person only wishes to study modules 1 and 2, the
fee is £500 for both. If, during the study of modules 1 and 2,
a person wishes to proceed to modules 3 and 4, the additional fee will
be £400.
The fees charged, which are due at the time of registration, include
the assessment of assignments and examinations, but not of any textbooks.
The full course may be taken in one year or extended up to a maximum
of four years if a person’s circumstances make it necessary. Certificates
of attendance are issued for continuing professional development record
purposes.
Course assessment
 For modules 1 and 2, assessment will be based on course assignments
linked with a one-day meeting, which will include any essential updating,
especially of changes of law and case studies. Subject to evidence
of some practical experience, the certificate in companion animal health
care will be awarded to those who achieve a satisfactory standard on
the assignments but who do not wish to proceed to the diploma.
Modules 3 and 4 will be assessed by written examination. For the award
of the diploma in veterinary pharmacy, a candidate must complete and
achieve a satisfactory standard in the assessments of all four modules
and a written dissertation of 8,000 to 10,000 words, present a record
of suitable practical experience and, finally, pass an oral examination
based on the practical application of the knowledge and experience gained.
The Pharmaceutical Press published a new textbook this month on ‘Veterinary
pharmacy’, edited by Steven Kayne and myself, who are the current
joint course directors of the educational programme. The book will provide
a most important resource for all the modules, especially for those studied
by distance learning and is intended to compliment the ‘Veterinary
formulary’, also published by the Pharmaceutical Press. Time considerations
Time commitment will inevitably depend considerably upon a student’s
previous experience. It could be expected that course reading, module
study time, written assignments and practical experience relevant to
a module are likely to amount to about 80–120 hours. This would
be similar to the commitment required on other accredited postgraduate
diploma courses. Considerable guidance is given concerning sources of
information, format for assignments and for dissertation and choice of
dissertation topic.
The residential modules provide a vital opportunity to concentrate on
the most important parts of the syllabus content in an environment away
from the normal daily pressures of work, linked with the opportunity
for informal discussion outside the timetabled sessions on many aspects
of the course and its content. Ready access to a specialist library on
site is also of considerable value to students participating in the intensive
residential courses.
Both the certificate and the diploma provide a solid foundation upon
which can be built both wider and more specialised knowledge and skills
as and when required. This wider application of pharmacists’ education
can be most rewarding professionally.
The programme can contribute significantly to CPD. This has been recognised
in the revisions made to the course programme and its in-built flexibility
to try to meet the varying needs, time restraints and considerations
affecting many pharmacists, especially those in community pharmacy.
Many parts of the programme are relevant to most pharmacists in whatever
sphere of practice they operate and especially to those at the core of
primary health care. Increasingly, pharmacists are finding that the concerns
and worries of patients and the public include and relate to food, its
origins, farming practice world-wide, public health matters and shortcomings
in public and personal hygiene. All these factors can impinge on the
broader issues of inclusive good health, which naturally includes animals,
pets and the environment. Consequential to the impending implementation
of the changes in the distribution and availability of veterinary medicines,
pharmacists will be expected to have readdressed their historical, not
always well recognised but worthwhile role in this area of professional
practice while working alongside other health professionals.
Further details of the course programme can be obtained from Liz Griffiths,
Secretary to the Veterinary Pharmacists’ Group,
Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 1 Lambeth
High Street, London SE1 7JN (e-mail
liz.griffiths@rpsgb.org,
tel 020 7572 2409). |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal