Up-to-date product information at the touch of a button

Veterinary practices across the UK are being invited to access an online database of animal medicines.

The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has announced an ambitious plan to get all veterinary practices in the UK to link up to its online Data Sheet Compendium (DSC), in order to streamline immediate access to the up-to-date information on the database.

Currently, basic product data is input into vets' Practice Management Systems (PMS) usually from the veterinary wholesaler. This information is not fully comprehensive; it includes, for example, the product name, a code for the product, information about its pack size, strength and other details. The disadvantage here is that different wholesalers use different systems and codes, which create inconsistencies and can lead to confusion of PMS data.

Further datasheet information such as withhold times, dosage, precautions and contraindications, which are not on the wholesalers' systems, then have to be entered manually, either by PMS centrally or at the practice at the time of dispensing.

The possibility of human error on entry has the potential to cause problems, for example if an incorrect milk withhold time is quoted, and then followed, it could even result in a bulk tank failure. There is also the possibility that essential precautions could be omitted entirely. While this appears to happen rarely, the process in itself is an extra onus on PMS companies and the busy vet in practice, especially as information can change, such as withhold times. This will result in the need to go to a source such as the NOAH Compendium to check the information being entered is up to date. Similarly, when supplying medicines for companion animals the wrong information may inadvertently be given to the client.

The NOAH online DSC, which is kept up-to-date by participant companies and republished weekly, or more frequently if a request is made to accommodate a significant change, contains all the essential information required for prescribing and dispensing. It gives simultaneous access to up-to-date information, in full XML tagged fields which allows detailed search engines to identify key information quickly and accurately.

The data for all products in the DSC is now held in an international standard format (XML), so it is a straightforward task for schema to be written to link the data to PMS. NOAH has also invested in migrating the system's DSC site to a new 'community framework' to allow other PMS access through authorised links.

The move is likely to be welcomed by the profession. NOAH received survey responses from 170 veterinary practices which had replied to a questionnaire sent out with the 2011 hard copy of the Compendium (December 2010), which is still free of charge to each practice premises. The survey found that 45% of respondents used the online Compendium regularly. Since it was launched it has had over 120 million page views. Of those who didn't use it, many commented that this was simply because they were not aware of it.

34% of respondents said they used online withdrawal period tables, and the same percentage said they wished to access those horse products listed under the six month withhold scheme for cascade use. 36% said they would welcome the development of a smart phone application to be developed, especially for livestock medicines when the vet is away from the practice and internet access when prescribing and dispensing medicines.

When asked what information they would like the PMS to have direct access to, 28% said withhold times for the product, 41% said product target species, and 56% said key dose rates for the product. Other information mentioned included use in pregnancy, contraindications, specific warnings and precautions.

Following the survey, NOAH has set up a focus group with 33 of the respondents to test future developments in the system. NOAH is also working closely with members of the VET XML consortium, who represent the key PMS suppliers to UK practices, to develop the schema programmes and determine the format of data required.

NOAH Chief Executive Phil Sketchley said: "With a system of having direct access to the online Compendium, veterinary practitioners can save time and ensure they have accurate and up to date information at their fingertips. The site is renewed every week, so any changes to manufacturers' licences or specifications can be passed on without delay.

When this project is complete it will enable quicker and more accurate labelling in the dispensary and aid the correct and responsible use of medicines in the animal whether it be a farmer or pet owner client.

"Those who use the online Compendium already appreciate its benefits and this project will make it an even more valuable resource. However, from the practices surveyed, it seems we need to create more awareness of what is already available online, as some practices have not yet caught up with what it can offer them. But the development of our online project will not spell the end of the hard copy Compendium. We will keep producing the paper version for those who prefer it and indeed particularly livestock vets consider it an essential document to keep in their car when on farm visits," he added.

If you want more information please contact NOAH who will be pleased to help and liaise with your PMS supplier. Contact Joanne Jeffs j.jeffs@noah.co.uk.

13 September 2011

Notes for Editors

1. For further information on NOAH 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 represents the UK animal medicines industry. Its aim is to promote the benefits of safe, effective, quality medicines for the health and welfare of all animals.
3. The NOAH DSC contains products from NOAH members and also contains products from several non-member companies. It is the most comprehensive and detailed publication of authorised animal medicines available in hard copy.
4. Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a set of rules for encoding documents in machine-readable form