NOAH 2022 Compendium book to be final printed: free website and app will continue
6th August 2021
The 2022 edition of the NOAH Compendium book will be the last full edition of the hard copy produced, says NOAH. The free-to-access NOAH Compendium website and app will continue to provide up to date information. This decision follows extensive feedback from Compendium users earlier this year and is part of NOAH’s environmental commitment.
Dawn Howard, NOAH Chief Executive, explained how the digital resources provide the most up-to-date information, with the app providing an easy access, information source that is also available offline. She said: “We commissioned an independent survey of users who work in veterinary practices to understand their usage and attitudes in relation to each of the formats, to help ensure that NOAH provides the Compendium information in a way that meets their needs.
“We were particularly pleased with the extent of awareness and use of our digital formats, which of course provide the most up to date information. Out of the 677 survey responses, 86% were aware of the website and 45% were aware of the app – and we are confident their use will continue to grow. The app was particularly popular with the 26 – 35 age group, with well over two thirds (71%) accessing it weekly.
“It is written into our NOAH Code of Practice that Compendium participants must include any changes to an SPC in their entry on the NOAH online Compendium within 30 days of its approval by the regulatory authority – these go live on the website as soon as they are made and of course the app, which is available offline, will update daily as soon as users connect to data.
“We have become increasingly aware of the disparity between the book published data which is of course only published annually and that online, and how important it is that the most up to date information is used. With that, coupled with our review of NOAH’s own sustainable footprint and the impact of producing and distributing 6000 copies of a publication of over 2,000 pages (even using FSC paper) has led us to the decision that this year’s book will be our last. We know some people will be disappointed, as the book has been our familiar ‘go to’ over the years, but we really believe this to be the right decision as we have confidence that our online formats can provide the easy access and importantly, the accurate prescribing information that’s needed.
“The NOAH Compendium website and app provides the latest information on the 1000+ animal medicines in the Compendium, easily, on phones and tablets. The app also includes the ability to scan datamatrix barcodes on veterinary medicinal product packaging, leading straight to product information, as well as to search by medication, manufacturer or GTIN. This provides prescribers and users of animal medicines with the latest information, supporting accurate prescribing decisions and responsible use.
“We are pleased to have seen an increase in use of the website and app in the past year – with 2 million visits to the Compendium website, representing an increase of 29%, from nearly 80,0000 users. At the same time app usage increased by 45% and now averages 45,000 users/month. Since its release in 2017 so far around 18,500 people have downloaded it, including well over 5,500 this year alone.
“In the coming year, we will be working even harder to improve the user experience for the Compendium app and website and we welcome any comments on what would make these resources even more valuable.
“We thank prescribers and users of animal medicines for their support on this decision and look forward to continuing to provide our go-to Compendium resource,” Dawn added.
Notes for Editors
For further information contact Alison Glennon at NOAH on 07510062566, email glennon@noah.co.uk or see www.noahcompendium.co.uk.
NOAH represents the UK animal health industry. It promotes the benefits of safe, effective, quality products and services for the health and welfare of all animals.
The NOAH 2021 Compendium User survey was carried out by M&G Associates
The NOAH Data Sheet Compendium contains data sheets for the majority of veterinary medicines authorised for use in the UK but it is not a complete list of them all. A full list of UK authorised veterinary medicines can be found on the VMD section of the .GOV website.
The NOAH 2021 Compendium book is out of stock. The 2022 edition will be published in December 2021.
Participants in the NOAH Compendium are listed at http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/company-directory
- Animax ltd
- Animalcare Limited
- Audevard
- Beaphar UK Ltd
- Benchmark Animal Health
- Bimeda
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd
- Ceva Animal Health Ltd
- Chanelle UK
- Dechra Veterinary Products
- Dorwest Herbs Ltd
- Eco Animal Health Ltd
- Elanco Animal Health
- F10 Products Limited
- HIPRA UK & IRELAND Ltd
- Huvepharma NV
- Krka UK Ltd
- MSD Animal Health
- Nimrod Veterinary Products Ltd
- Norbrook Laboratories Ltd
- Petlife International ltd
- PHARMAQ Ltd
- TVM Animal Health Ltd
- Vetark Products Ltd add
- Vetoquinol UK Ltd
- Virbac Ltd
- Zoetis UK Limited
All participants must comply with the NOAH Code of Practice