NOAH launches syllabus for animal health sales staff exam

The National Office of Animal Health has launched a new syllabus for its examination aimed at sales staff in the animal health industry.

The NOAH Certificate of Animal Health (NCAH) is designed to give candidates a thorough grounding in animal physiology, animal disease and treatment options, as well as giving them a full knowledge of the legal framework in which medicines are regulated, advertised and sold.

Donal Murphy, NOAH’s Technical Executive, said the NCAH is playing an important part in ensuring the responsible use and promotion of animal medicines in the UK.

“The NCAH ensures that people working in the animal health industry, whatever their previous training or professional background, will have the right level of knowledge to sell medicines safely and within the law,” he said.

“The course covers topics, such as the legislation surrounding animal medicines and a basic knowledge of animal diseases, which are essential to bring candidates up to the right level of knowledge to effectively do their jobs.

“One of the strong points of the new syllabus is that, after a general foundation level, it offers specific more advanced modules that are particularly relevant to the candidate, and allows them to focus on specific areas, for example companion animals or farm animals,” he said.

The NCAH evolved from the Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAH) certificate administered by AMTRA (Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority). It came under NOAH’s remit at the beginning of 2011 to avoid confusion with AMTRA’s Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) qualification. The qualification continues to be accredited by Harper Adams University College under its jurisdiction as an institution with its own degree awarding powers.

“The ability of sales staff to discuss the products they are promoting, in line with the VMD’s (Veterinary Medicine Directorate) legally approved Summary of Product Characteristics, is a crucial part of doing the job properly,” said Mr Murphy.

Ends

3 January 2012

Notes for Editors

1. 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.

2. For more information contact Donal Murphy, NOAH, 3 Crossfield Chambers, Gladbeck Way, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 7HF. Tel: 020 8367 3131. Email: d.murphy@noah.co.uk or Henry Creagh. Tel: 01394 610022. Email: henry.creagh@kendallscom.co.uk, or see the NCAH section of the NOAH website