Under regulations introduced in 1985, a wide range of medicines were declared to be prescription only medicines and veterinary surgeons were required to confine prescriptions for and direct supply of such medicines to animals under their professional care. The actual retailing of medicines by veterinary surgeons must comply with the same requirements as any other shop selling veterinary medicines.
In order to implement EU Directives and consolidate and modernise existing provisions, draft regulations to govern the manufacture, distribution, sale and supply of veterinary medicines are at an advanced stage of preparation within my Department. These regulations will specify the various routes of supply applicable to veterinary medicines, but in the case of prescription medicines, I do not propose any substantive change in the current position as the controls in place are necessary to safeguard human and animal health. However, the rules for prescribing will be strengthened.
One of the ideas being considered is to introduce a new category for certain veterinary medicines which do not require prescription control but would be limited to "pharmacy only" sale as with certain human medicines. This category would, of course, be available for direct supply by veterinary surgeons in respect of animals under their care.
The National Drugs Advisory Board will have the responsibility, when authorising a veterinary medicine, to determine the appropriate sales category.
