Pharmacovigilance: Monitoring Suspected Adverse Reactions to Animal Medicines - a new briefing document from NOAH

The National Office of Animal Health has produced a briefing document called 'Pharmacovigilance: Monitoring Suspected Adverse Reactions to Animal Medicines'. It is the latest in its series of information sheets on issues relating to animal medicines.

Before they can be sold, all animal medicines, under EU and UK law, must obtain a Marketing Authorisation based on independent assessment, by MAFF's Veterinary Medicines Directorate, of their safety, quality and efficacy. However scrutiny does not stop there, a legal obligation exists for manufacturers to report any untoward effects.

Monitoring suspected adverse reactions to animal medicines is a detailed and carefully regulated procedure. It is designed to check that there are no unexpected problems with their use. European guidelines place specific duties on the VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) in the UK to carry out surveillance and reporting of suspected adverse reactions.

NOAH's new briefing document gives a short guide to the scheme.

Copies are available free of charge from NOAH, 3 Crossfield Chambers, Gladbeck Way, Enfield, EN2 7HF, e-mail noah@noah.co.uk or can be downloaded from the NOAH website, www.noah.co.uk

8 December 1999

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.

   
   

2. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 36 corporate members and 11 associate members. In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £384 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.