NOAH emphasises need for PML category for pets
There will still be a need for a non-prescription
medicine category for pet medicines currently classified P or PML, when new
EU animal medicine rules are interpreted into UK law, says the National
Office of Animal Health.
NOAH, the trade association representing the UK
manufacturers of licensed animal medicines, has summarised to the VMD its
views on key issues arising from the UK implementation of directive
2004/28/EC, relevant parts of the Marsh Report and the report of the
Competition Commission into the supply of Prescription Only veterinary
medicines (POMs), and highlights points in existing UK legislation which it
believes should be amended.
“The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has been listening
to stakeholders’ views on how they would wish to see the future shape of UK
animal medicines legislation,” says Philip Sketchley, NOAH Chief Executive.
“We have a number of suggestions which we believe will help ensure medicines
can best fulfil their role in the future health and welfare of the nation’s
farm animals and pets. We hope that VMD will take these points on board as
it develops its concept papers on these key issues and moves towards
proposed legislation later this year.”
“The Government’s new Animal Health and Welfare Strategy
includes the principle that prevention is better than cure. NOAH believes -
and this has been supported by the plan - medicines can help achieve this
aim. While the EU directive spells out the fact that all medicines for farm
animals should become POM, there is no requirement for this to happen for
companion animal medicines.
“For those products which are not suitable for
classification as GSL, and yet do not necessarily need a vet’s intervention,
we believe that there should continue to be a classification which ensures
pet medicines are controlled yet accessible - and, additionally to their
supply by veterinarians, can continue to be sold by pharmacists, animal
health merchants and pet retailers with suitably qualified personnel. To
impose a blanket POM category for current PML and P pet medicines would run
counter to the suggestion in the Marsh report which set out to further
increase owner choice about where medicines could be obtained.” says Mr
Sketchley.
The need for this category is underlined by the new EU
rules, where advertising of POM medicines to the general public will be
banned. “This reiterates the need for this non-prescription companion animal
category,” stresses Mr Sketchley. Advertising helps to educate pet owners
about new products and options to prevent and treat disease of which they
may not otherwise be aware. “It is a step towards responsible pet
ownership,” Mr Sketchley says.
“We look forward to further discussions on all these
points with the VMD over the next few months,” Philip Sketchley adds.
12 July 2004
Notes for Editors
For further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131,
or visit the NOAH website.
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 32 corporate members and 14 associate
members. In 2003 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £398
million UK animal health market
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