Make-over for animal medicines legislation
Consultation has started on proposals to replace 50 pieces of legislation on animal medicines with a single statutory instrument and to remove animal medicines from control under the Medicines Act 1968.
The new Regulations (PDF 65K) will largely continue current requirements
for the licensing of products, manufacturers and wholesalers.
They will establish four new classes of animal medicines (see panel),
one of which — described as POM–VPM — pharmacists will
be able to prescribe. The Regulations will also implement proposals designed
to break the complex
monopoly held over animal medicines by veterinary
surgeons and manufacturers (PJ, 19 April 2003, p535).
Andrew Cairns, chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Veterinary
Pharmacists’ Group, said of the consultation: “It contains
no surprises, although the Society wishes to see greater clarification
on some issues, especially on training standards.”
One area of change will be significantly increased training for people
who want to be allowed to sell pet medicines.
“Pharmacists will be in a strong position to meet those requirements
and may be presented with an attractive business and professional opportunity,” Mr
Cairns said. “It has been indicated that some of the high turnover
spot-on and oral flea products will be considered for reclassification
into the new NFA–VPM category for pet medicines.”
Comments on the proposals — 115 pages of planned legislation and
18 sets of draft guidance notes — must be made by 5 May.
The four classes of veterinary medicines
POM–V
Prescription only medicine – veterinarian.
May only be supplied after diagnosis and prescription by a veterinary
surgeon. May only be supplied by a vet or a pharmacist. May not
be supplied by post.
POM–VPM
Prescription only medicine – veterinarian,
pharmacist, merchant. May only be supplied after prescription by
a vet, a pharmacist or a qualified person. May not be supplied
by post.
NFA–VPM
Non-food animal – veterinarian, pharmacist,
merchant. No prescription required, but may only be supplied by
a vet, a pharmacist or a qualified person.
AVM–GSL
Authorised veterinary medicine – general sale
list. No supply restrictions.
Written prescriptions will only be required
if the prescriber and the supplier are not the same person. Records
of prescriptions
supplied are expected to include the date of supply, the name,
batch and quantity of the product, the prescriber’s details
and a copy of the prescription. Retailers will be expected to audit
their stocks annually and to reconcile supply figures with quantities
received and stocks held. All records will have to be kept for
five years. |
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