Updated version of animal medicine promotion code published

The ninth edition of the NOAH Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines is now available. This updated version has been revised to take into account the establishment of the examination for General Sales List sales staff, run by the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) and confirms that all company promotional mailing lists, not just those for the veterinary and pharmaceutical professions, should be kept up to date.

The Code of Practice regulates the contents and quality of advertisements, leaflets and promotional activities for animal medicines. It was established in 1974 and since then it has been kept under review and updated.

This way, the industry ensures that those involved with using animal medicines, be they veterinary surgeons, animal health distributors, farmers or pet owners, receive the correct information they need about these products.

All NOAH members must comply with the Code (as must non-members who appear in the Data Sheet Compendium). It is administered by a committee of 15, with an independent QC as chairman and includes veterinarian and farmer members as well as elected industry representatives.

Copies of the revised code are available, free of charge, from Kleo Kyriacou, telephone 020 8367 3131, at the NOAH office.

6 July 2000

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Roger Cook 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 35 corporate members and 12 associate members. In 1999 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £366 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.
3. The Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines has been drawn up in consultation with the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It originally owes its creation to the determination of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (of which NOAH, prior to incorporation, formed part) to secure the universal acceptance and adoption of high standards of conduct in the marketing of animal medicines.
4. The Code of Practice Committee is independently chaired by David Kitchin QC. Its members are set out below:-

   MR J P ALLEN	INDEPENDENT FARMING MEMBER
   MR SAM BLACK	LEO ANIMAL HEALTH
   MR JIM BRODIE	INDEPENDENT VETERINARY MEMBER
   MR BRIAN CLARK	VIRBAC LTD
   MR PETER COE	PFIZER ANIMAL HEALTH
   MR ALAN HENDERSON	BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM
   MR BRIAN HOSKIN	VETOQUINOL UK LTD
   MR NEIL MACDONALD	ANIMALCARE LTD
   MR BILL MADDERS	INDEPENDENT FARMING MEMBER
   MR GERRY MCELVOGUE	NORBROOK LABORATORIES
   MR JOHN McNALLY	INTERVET UK LTD
   DR BRIAN SHEARD	HORSERACING FORENSIC LABORATORY
   MR R R COOK	DIRECTOR, NOAH
   MR D C F HUTCHINSON	SECRETARY, CODE OF PRACTICE COMMITTEE
   MS S WELLS	ASSISTANT SECRETARY, CODE OF PRACTICE COMMITTEE

5. The latest (Ninth) edition of the Code of Practice booklet is available from the NOAH office (telephone: 020 8367 3131) upon request or can be viewed here
6. Through the provision of training and related professional services for those involved in the distribution and marketing of animal health products, AMTRA seeks to ensure that in the UK animal medicines are sold, supplied and marketed in a responsible manner by appropriately qualified persons. AMTRA maintains Registers of AMTRA qualified persons and through the disciplinary responsibilities of its Ethics Committee ensures that those on the Registers conform with the relevant law and if applicable with the AMTRA Code of Good Practice.