Vet Medicines SI a Missed Opportunity
IFA Animal Health chair TJ Maher said the Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulation SI signed by the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue is a missed opportunity to broaden the supply base for farmers in sourcing vaccines that are categorised as POM (E) (Prescription Only Exempt) medicines.
These products have always been available only through veterinary pharmacies and vets, without the need for a farmer to get a prescription.
IFA proposed these products would be made available for Licensed Merchants and Co-ops to supply to farmers under prescription, broadening the supply base and increasing competition in the supply of vaccines for farmers.
TJ Maher said this missed opportunity should be reviewed and IFA’s proposals reconsidered.
“Vaccines are key management tools for farmers and are critical in reducing the need for antibiotics and must be more competitively available to farmers. IFA has sought the removal of VAT on vaccines which would save farmers over €10m annually. The Department of Agriculture has committed to providing this in 2025 and the Minister must ensure this commitment is honoured in next month’s budget.”
The SI also sets out the prescribing requirements for Antiparasitic products which became Prescription Only Medicines following the publication of the EU Veterinary Medicines Regulation in 2019 but remained available here under derogation without prescription. Prior to this, Ireland was the only country in the EU where Antiparasitic products were not already POMs.
He said initially there were real concerns that only PVPs servicing the farm would be allowed prescribe but this has been addressed in the SI. It provides for vets on behalf of Licensed Merchants and Co-ops to prescribe for these outlets on completion of a Proper Assessment Protocol while allowing the farmer’s own vet to continue to prescribe based on their knowledge of the farm and the animals on it as is current practice.
Licensed Merchants, Co-ops and veterinary pharmacies can continue to supply these products on receipt of a prescription.
TJ Maher said while the SI has been signed, it is not in force and no date has been set.
He said there are a number of issues to be addressed with the NVPS and until these are resolved the SI signed yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture will not be coming into force. In the meantime, farmers can continue to source Antiparsitic products from Licensed Merchants and Co-ops without a prescription.
