AMTRA Pet Care Top Student Rewarded

The top student of the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority Companion Animal Medicines (GSL) Sales Staff Examination has been rewarded.

Best Student Award, sponsored by Pet Care Trust, goes to Joanna Boughton, from Dorwest Herbs, who specialise in licensed herbal medicines and are based in Bridport, Dorset. Mary Boughton, her mother, also from Dorwest Herbs, collected the award on her behalf from Mr Ted Chandler, Chief Executive of the Animal Health Trust at the Annual Dinner of the National Office of Animal Health, on 20 April, in London.

The Training and Certification of Companion Animal Medicines (GSL) Sales Staff award, which comes under the umbrella of the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority, was devised by the Pet Care Trust, with full support from NOAH and AMTRA. It is designed for retailers of GSL pet medicines to the public and for manufacturers’ sales representatives selling pet medicines on the General Sales List to retailers.

Speaking in London, NOAH chief executive Phil Sketchley explained why NOAH was delighted to host the presentation of these awards. “The importance of the companion animal sector to our industry continues to grow, indeed now makes up about 55% of the turnover. NOAH is delighted to be one of the trustees of National Pet Week, which runs this year from 30 April - 8 May with the theme ‘Best of Friends - Best of Health’. As well as providing a forum to raise the profile of the benefits of companion animals to society, and the importance of responsible pet ownership, many other charities - including those for support animals - benefit from funds raised at hundreds of events throughout the country.

“To fulfil their important role, animals need to be healthy. Advice on medicines, which animals need to keep them healthy, needs to be good. Joanna’s excellence - and indeed all those with the AMTRA qualification - has proved that they are excellently placed to help people make the right choices for the health and welfare of their companion animals,” he added.

20 April 2005

Notes for Editors

Joanna Boughton Joanna was born and raised in West Dorset, moving to Cardiff to complete her studies at the University of Cardiff, where she gained a BSc 2.1 in Environmental Geoscience and went on to obtain a MSc in Applied Environmental Geology, obtaining a distinction in her dissertation which can be found in the University of Wales library.

Several years after graduating she decided to return to West Dorset to work for her family business, Dorwest Herbs, which was founded by her grandparents over 50 years before. Dorwest Herbs is the leading company in the UK producing licensed veterinary herbal medicines and dietary supplements for dogs and cats. She joined as their Technical Manager over 3 years ago and thoroughly enjoys her varied role, although she is specifically involved in the licensing and regulatory affairs. She is very much a country girl at heart and is joined at work everyday by her two whippets, which are her main interest. She is on the committee of the South West Whippet Club and participates in lure-coursing events and has also enjoyed considerable success showing her dogs and will be found at Crufts this year on the green carpet! She also enjoys keeping fit and skiing and gets away to the mountains whenever possible!

If you require a photograph of Joanna Boughton please contact Joanne Jeffs at NOAH on 020 8370 3685.

1. Further information is available from: • Mrs Winn Dawson at AMTRA on 01394 411010, or e-mail info@amtra.org.uk or visit the AMTRA website www.amtra.org.uk • Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH on 020 8367 3131, or e-mail noah@noah.co.uk or visit the NOAH website www.noah.co.uk

2. 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.

3. The Pet Care Trust is a professional body supported by every sector of the British pet care industry. Its principal aims are: • to promote responsible pet ownership • to improve the standards of pet keeping • to raise the awareness of the benefits of pet keeping • to provide training programmes for people working in the industry • to provide advice to pet owners

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 32 corporate members and 13 associate members. In 2004 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £420 million UK animal health market