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Pharmacy has a long history of supplying medicines to animal owners
but until recently the veterinary practice and the pet shop have been
the
main source of supply for commonly used pet health products.
This could
change if community pharmacists grasp the opportunity presented by the
reclassification of many prophylactic POM(V) products (prescription-only
veterinary products) to a new category that is effectively a pharmacy
(P) medicine category for supplies from pharmacies.
Animal medicines are now the sole responsibility of the Veterinary Medicines
Directorate and are classified slightly differently from human medicines.
Many pet medicines are now in a category called NFA-VPS (non-food animal — veterinarian,
pharmacist and “suitably qualified person”).
Although pet shops are allowed to sell NFA-VPS products, they may be
sold only by staff who have obtained a qualification from the Animal
Medicines Training Regulatory Authority and are registered as appropriately
trained to offer advice and guidance on use. The products must be kept
away from self-selection, often in locked rooms or cabinets.
In a pharmacy, NFA-VPS sales are restricted in much the same way as P
medicines. Community pharmacists must observe a code of practice when
supplying them, keeping them away from free sale and offering suitable
advice from trained staff — as happens every day with P medicines.
The main NFA-VPS products are for prevention and treatment of common
parasite problems in dogs and cats. Many were available only from vets
until recently but they have strong recognisable brand names, such as
Frontline and Drontal. They make up a retail category valued at over £100m
a year, which is considerably larger than many traditional non-prescription
human medicine categories, so it is worth pharmacists getting involved.
What do pharmacists need to do?
National Pet Month
National
Pet Month is a charity that brings together the work of
animal welfare charities, professional organisations, schools,
youth groups and members of the public to promote responsible
pet ownership while celebrating the bond between people and
their pets.
NPM is co-ordinated by three organisations — the National Office
of Animal Health (NOAH), the Pet Care Trust and the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association.
It is also supported by the veterinary profession and many animal charities.
Its principal sponsor is The Iams Company, part
of the Procter & Gamble group.
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The first thing to do is to see what pet medicines are available in
the NFA-VPS category and also the AVM-GSL (authorised veterinary medicine — general
sale list) category. Products are listed on the VMD website and in
the National Office of Animal Health Compendium.
The list of products in the NFA-VPS category is due to expand over
the next couple of years as more POM(V) medicines (also strong recognisable
brands) are reclassified. This will give pharmacists the opportunity
to become familiar with the type of knowledge and information pet owners
require.
They might even decide to offer a dispensing service for veterinary
prescriptions for POM(V) medicines.
The next thing to do is to consider a supply route. Several veterinary
wholesalers offer daily deliveries to pharmacies.
Also important is training for pharmacy staff, some of whom could already
be interested in pets. There are many useful textbooks on the subject.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, through its Veterinary Pharmacy Education
Programme, offers a certificate in companion animal medicines which can
be achieved by correspondence.
Finally, it is worth noting that half the pharmacy’s customers
own a pet — usually a cat or dog. Some pet owners go to vets for
expensive NFA-VPS medicines they use routinely as prophylactics, but
many use less effective products from pet shops or supermarkets to avoid
the high costs associated with a visit to a vet.
Either way, by stocking
and displaying a small range of the newer NFA-VPS category medicines,
pharmacies will create interest and a new line of business with such
customers. Veterinary Pharmacists Group
The Society’s Veterinary
Pharmacists Group would like to encourage
all community pharmacists to take on the challenge of becoming involved
in veterinary medicines. Over the coming year, the VPG will produce a
range of resources that outline disease areas and relevant treatments
in a variety of pets.
VPG chairman Andrew Cairns says: “A major business OTC opportunity
now presents itself to community pharmacies. We are perfectly placed
geographically to provide a front-line service to the pet owning public
that is both professionally and commercially sound.
“It is important that
we can demonstrate to the industry the effectiveness of community pharmacy
in supplying medicines for pets just as for humans. The VPG is to provide
support material to help you achieve this. Check on the VPG website for
the latest information”.
Returning to the original reason for this article, National Pet Month
2008, with the theme “Great British pets”, runs from 5 April
to 5 May. Events will go on throughout the month, culminating in “Wet
Nose Day” on 23 April — a day to celebrate pets and encourage
people to get involved and raise funds for animal welfare charities.
National Pet Month would like pharmacies to be involved. Its chairman,
Phil Sketchley, says: “National Pet Month was so successful in
2007 we are pleased to announce the month-long celebrations will continue
in 2008. We look forward to working with even more pharmacies this year,
holding events to promote responsible pet ownership.
“It is also a great
opportunity to get people through the door and raise awareness of the
services you provide. Have a look at the NPM website for inspiration.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal