AMTRA manufacturers' examination - top students rewarded

The top students of the two Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority manufacturers' examinations held in 2002 have been rewarded for their achievements.

The winners were Stuart Lawton of Schering-Plough Animal Health and Gavin Kelly of Bayer. Runners-up were Margaret McDonough, then of Pharmacia, now Genusxpress Dental, and Lucie Wilmot of Ceva Animal Health. They received their awards from Lord Plumb at the Annual Dinner of the National Office of Animal Health, on 24 April, in London. (Unfortunately only Gavin Kelly was able to be present).

AMTRA, the independent regulatory body ensuring the responsible marketing and distribution of animal medicines in the UK, holds examinations which need to be passed to gain an AMTRA qualification. There are four registers, to cover the spread of medicines distribution - for manufacturers, animal health distributors, saddlers and those involved with GSL pet medicines. To acknowledge the hard work needed to gain the manufacturers' qualification, each year NOAH sponsors prizes for the highest scoring entrants in these examinations.

NOAH chief executive Phil Sketchley said: "NOAH would like to congratulate the top students. Their hard work is a credit to themselves, their companies and the animal health industry." The AMTRA qualifications are designed to ensure that the highest standards of training, education and professional conduct are upheld.

He added: "NOAH would also like to congratulate everyone who participated in the AMTRA manufacturers' scheme, which was instigated in 1991 to give animal medicine manufacturers' representatives the opportunity to gain a formal qualification and to become better informed about their industry. It is now a condition of NOAH membership that all manufacturers' representatives become qualified through the appropriate AMTRA scheme.

Lord Plumb (left), presents the prize to Gavin Kelly of Bayer (right), with Bert Burns, Chairman of the AMTRA Manufacturers Education Committee centre. (Click photo for large version)

24 April 2003

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Phil Sketchley 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 13 associate members. In 2002 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £389 million UK animal health market

3. AMTRA is an independent regulatory body whose task it is to ensure that the distribution of animal medicines in the UK is undertaken in a responsible manner by qualified persons. The board of AMTRA comprises an independent chairman and vice-chairman, two directors appointed by DEFRA, two from NOAH, three from Animal Health Distributors Association and one each from National Farmers Union, Pet Care Trust, British Veterinary Association, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and British Equestrian Trade Association. 

4. 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 13 associate members. In 2002 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £389 million UK animal health market. 

5. There are now 4 different AMTRA Registers of Qualified Persons: Agricultural Merchants Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) Register, Saddlers Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) Register, Animal Medicine Manufacturers' Sales Staff Register and GSL Companion Animal Medicines Register. 

6. PML stands for Pharmacy and Merchants' List: animal medicines that can be supplied to keepers of animals by agricultural merchants whose premises are registered and where the sale is authorised by a suitably qualified person, as well as through pharmacies, or by veterinary surgeons to animals under their care. GSL stands for General Sales List. Medicines classified as such have to undergo the full stringent licensing procedure, but are classified as suitable for selling from any retailer.

Biographical details of the prizewinners

April 2002 examination

Winner Stuart Lawton, Schering Plough Animal Health 

After graduating from university with an honours degree in pharmacology, Stuart worked for a short time in human pharmaceuticals as a diabetes product specialist.

He joined Schering-Plough in August 2000 as a Veterinary Business Manager in the Companion Animal Business Unit and now cover the Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales region.

He is married with two children; his main interests are learning to speak French and coaching rugby at junior level.

Runner-up Margaret McDonough VN, formerly Pharmacia, now Genusxpress Dental

Margaret started her career as a veterinary nurse, before travelling the world and joining the Waltham Centre for Petcare and Nutrition. At Waltham Margaret moved into veterinary sales and progressed into veterinary dental research. From research, Margaret progressed into global communications, followed by management of the pet care team at the Waltham Centre.

Margaret then left Waltham to work for Pharmacia for 2 years. It was during this time she gained her AMTRA qualification.

This led to Margaret's current role with Genusxpress Dental, where she is responsible for the development of the veterinary dental business.

Outside of work Margaret enjoys dedicating time to her family, friends and menagerie of pets. Time permitting, she is also keen on horse riding and a snowboarding enthusiast.

September 2002 examination

Winner Gavin Kelly - Bayer

Gavin joined Bayer as poultry specialist representative in March 2001, covering the whole of the U.K. His role involves selling Bayer's poultry products to poultry veterinarians, poultry producers, and the gamebird industry, along with providing technical support, and helping with trials and application of product on farm.

He was previously Veterinary Laboratory Supervisor with Sun Valley Foods Ltd. in Hereford - for 19 years! During that time he obtained a BSc through the Open University which he completed in 2000.

Still living in Hereford, he is married to Jane and they have 2 children, both boys ( Adam - 5, and Joe 2).

Apart from running around after 2 children, he is a sports fanatic (mostly viewing rather than playing these days!) . Football is his particular favourite. He follows Hereford United and Liverpool, but also enjoys watching any other sports. He plays Badminton, when he gets the chance, and also enjoys having a hack around a Golf course when the opportunity arises.

He is a keen music fan....Sterophonics, U2, Oasis, New Order are particular favourites. He also enjoys travel and has visited many countries including USA, India, Australia, Thailand and Canada.

Runner-up Lucie Wilmot - Ceva Animal Health

Lucie is area veterinary representative, based between Worcester and Birmingham, for Ceva Animal Health. She is responsible for training and sales in South Wales and the South Midlands.

Her educational background is a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, followed by a post graduate diploma in Information Technology, and a Diploma in Advanced Studies in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling at Southampton.

She worked in veterinary practice nursing and behaviour counselling before moving to Ceva because of their emphasis on behavioural products ie DAP, Feliway and Selgian.

Her interests include travelling and scuba diving (when she can afford it!), otherwise ambling round Worcestershire with her lurcher taking in the countryside and local pubs.