Veterinary Medicines Regulations

Veterinary Medicines Regulations

  • Governed by legislation: Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.
  • Analogous to human medicines regulations (2012).
  • Veterinary medicine: A drug given to an animal to treat or prevent disease.

Classes of Veterinary Medicines

  • Four main classes:

1. POM-V (Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian)

  • Can only be prescribed by a vet.
  • Supply:
    • By the prescribing vet within the veterinary surgery.
    • By a pharmacy with a written prescription.

2. POM-VPS (Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person)

  • Can be supplied by a vet, a pharmacist, or a suitably qualified person (SQP).
  • Prescription Requirements:
    • Written prescription needed if the supplier is different from the prescriber.
    • No written prescription needed if the vet prescribes and supplies the medication; a record on the computer system is sufficient.

Suitably Qualified Person (SQP)

  • Not a veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon.
  • Registered under the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA).
  • AMTRA: Regulatory body for veterinary medicines (AMTRA).
  • Requirement: Completion of a training course.

Food Animals and Medicine Prescription

  • Medicines for food animals (e.g., cows, lambs, chickens) must always be prescribed.

Reason:

  • Safety for human consumption, as they enter the food chain.

Tuberculosis Example:

  • If a cow with tuberculosis needs antibiotic treatment:
    • Ensure the cow is free of tuberculosis.
    • Ensure antibiotics are cleared from the cow's system before it is slaughtered for food.

Withdrawal Period:

  • The time needed for the drug to clear from the animal's body to ensure food safety.
  • Examples of Withdrawal Period:
    • Meat (e.g., cows): 28 days.
    • Milk and eggs: 7 days.
    • Salmon: Calculated using a 500 degree day period (500 divided by water temperature).

Q&A:

  • POM-V can be supplied by a vet or a pharmacy.

3. NFA-VPS (Non-Food Animal - Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person)

  • For non-food animals (pets like dogs).
  • Supply: Vet, pharmacist, or SQP can supply these medicines.
  • Prescription: A written prescription is not required.
  • Examples: Treatments for worms and fleas in pets.

4. AVM-GSL (Authorized Veterinary Medicine - General Sales List)

  • Animal version of GSL medicines.
  • Available for purchase without prescription (e.g., in supermarkets).

Unlicensed Medicines

1. Exemption for Small Pet Animals

  • Veterinary medicines without marketing authorization.
  • Applies to small pets:
    • Fish, aquarium animals, caged birds, ferrets, homing pigeons, rabbits, small rodents.
  • Supply: Only in a single course of treatment (pack size).

2. Unlicensed Veterinary Medicines (Cascade)

  • Medicines without marketing authorization that do not fall under the exemption for small pet animals.
  • Prescription: Can only be prescribed under the veterinary cascade.
  • Prescriber: Only a veterinary surgeon.
  • Includes human medicines used for animals, which must be prescribed under the cascade.
  • Supply:
    • Can be supplied by either the vet or a pharmacy.