Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2009
363 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the regulations in place governing the prescribing and dispensing of medicines by veterinarians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34647/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational legislative provisions relating to the prescribing and dispensing of veterinary medicines are contained in the European Communities (Animal Remedies) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 786/2007), which also give effect to EU legislation in this area.
Regulation 43 of SI 786/2007 sets out the rules applying both to the prescribing of "prescription only" veterinary medicines by veterinary practitioners and to the dispensing of veterinary prescriptions by veterinary practitioners and others (i.e. by pharmacists and, in the limited circumstances specified in paragraph 3(iii) of Schedule 1, by Licensed Merchants). This Regulation lays down the criteria to be met before a veterinarian may prescribe medicines. Schedule 3 to the Regulations (as amended by SI 182/2009) lays down the specifications for a written prescription, which is a mandatory requirement (with very limited exceptions in the case of certain pet animals).
With regard to the dispensing of veterinary medicines, the Regulations enable farmers and others to purchase their POM medicines either from the veterinarian who prescribed them or, on production of a veterinary prescription, from a pharmacy or, in the case of medicinal products, such as intramammaries or vaccines, from a Licensed Merchant.
It should also, of course, be borne in mind that a significant body of products (e.g. wormers and some vaccines) are available ‘off prescription', meaning that they can be purchased as required without a prescription from Licensed Merchants, pharmacies or vets.
