The Write Prescription: Teaching the future of the animal health industry
8th April 2026
, Senior Technical Policy Manager, shares her experience of The NCAH Qualification.
There is something particularly rewarding about delivering lectures for the NOAH Certificate of Animal Health (NCAH) course at Harper Adams University. The NCAH qualification equips students with a strong foundation in areas such as animal physiology, disease management, and the legal framework surrounding veterinary medicines. Successful completion of the NCAH examination is a requirement for all company representatives as part of compliance with the NOAH Code of Practice for the Promotion of Animal Medicines.
Teaching the veterinary legislation side on the course is one of my favourite aspects of my job at NOAH (answers on a postcard as to whether the students share my enthusiasm on the subject). Initially, I am faced with some sceptical looking faces, but as the sessions progress, it is incredibly rewarding to see students begin to understand not just the rules and requirements, but the reasons behind them. Conversations around regulation, responsible use, animal welfare and protecting the food chain quickly bring the subject to life.
I hope that by the end of the session students go away with an understanding of the web of regulatory frameworks in GB, Northern Ireland and the EU and an appreciation for their role in protecting animal and human health. I also hope to make a few students crack a smile with my bizarre examples of pigeon products, the world of show hamsters and my constant reference to my own cat.
It is these amusing anecdotes, and the sharing of stories and experiences by students, that makes teaching so enjoyable. However, from a more philosophical view I value having the opportunity to shape confident, knowledgeable professionals who will go on to make a real difference in animal health.
What is the NCAH course?
The animal health industry prides itself on knowledge. That is why NOAH requires all sales representatives at member companies to undertake the NCAH course and pass the exam within two years. However, it is more than just a requirement, it forms the foundation for responsible practice, ensuring those in the field understand not only the products they represent and how they work, but the legislation and ethics behind them.