Latest news with #NationalVeterinaryPrescriptionSystem
Agriland
14 hours ago
- Health
- Agriland
1 out of 1,000 NVPS prescriptions purchased at merchants
Only 85 out of some 85,000 veterinary prescriptions, or around 1 out of every 1,000, lodged on the new National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) were purchased from a licenced merchant or pharmacist. The figure as revealed by Dr. Caroline Garvan, senior superintending veterinary inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Dr. Garvan was speaking at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food this week, when she was asked by Aontú TD for Mayo Paul Lawless how many of the 85,000 prescriptions on the NVPS since it launched in January were purchased at the site of a merchant or pharmacist. Dr. Garvan said that the figure is 'very, very low' confirming that the number currently is 85. The NVPS has been established under the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act, which, among other requirements, mandates that certain veterinary medicines that previously could be purchased by farmers without a prescription would now require a prescription from a vet. Under the new law, prescriptions issued for vets for those medicines would be lodged on the NVPS. The purpose of this rule change is to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in farm animals by requiring a veterinary prescription before medicines are supplied. The regulation has led to concerns from licenced merchants of veterinary medicines, as well as many politicians, that vets which stock veterinary medicines would be in a position to retail the medicines they issue prescriptions for, reducing competition from merchants and potentially squeezing them out of business. According to Lawless, the figure of 85 prescriptions purchased at merchants or pharmacists out of 85,000 is 'not a good start' in terms of allaying those concerns. The figure suggests that out of those 85,000 prescriptions, over 84,000 were supplied by a vet (although there was no indication given as to how many of those vets were the prescribing vet). However, according to Dr. Garvan, veterinary medicines generally purchased by farmers at this time of year would normally not be supplied by licenced merchants, even before the new law. 'The products that are currently being prescribed would not be supplied generally by a licenced retailer, so why would they get the prescription?' she said. 'The products that are up there [on the NVPS] now are antibiotics predominantly, which are treating diseases during the spring. They're never supplied by a licenced retailer, so they wouldn't be dispensing them,' Dr. Garvan added. Dr. Garvan also told Senator Paul Daly that the licenced retailers may be continuing to get paper prescriptions, as not all vets are using the NVPS system yet. 'I think it's important to say we don't have eyes on all the prescriptions issued this spring. It's highly likely that the retailers are still getting prescriptions, but they're getting paper prescriptions because we don't have all the vets using the system, so we can't say they are not dispensing prescriptions at retail level,' she said. However, Daly said: 'There's plenty room for error in a figure between 85 and 85,000.' Dr. Garvey then went on to cite data which suggests that, while supply of some veterinary medicines from co-operatives have decreased, the supply from licenced merchants have not, and that vets 'did not get all the supply that the co-ops lost'. She noted that increasing use of selective dry cow therapy may be reducing the need for antibiotics in the dairy sector, saying: 'It's a real example of the progress on AMR.'
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Oireachtas agri committee to grill stakeholders on vet medicines bill
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, and Food will hear from stakeholder bodies in the veterinary sector this week on the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023. The committee will meet today (Wednesday, June 11) from 3:30p.m for an examination of the impacts of the bill. The meeting will take place in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House. From 3:30p.m to 4:20p.m representatives from Merchants Alliance Ireland will address the Oireachtas committee. Merchants Alliance Ireland was formed by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), the Irish Licensed Merchants Association (ILMA) and Acorn Independent Merchants, to represent mutually shared interests on areas of joint concern for the agricultural merchants and retail sector. The representatives addressing the meeting will include Ray Doyle, livestock and environmental services executive for ICOS, as well as Barry Larkin, Terence O'Shea, and Ollie Ryan. Then from 4:20p.m to 5:10p.m the committee will hear from officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. These officials will include Bill Callanan, the department's chief inspector, as well as officials from the department's veterinary section. Finally, from 5:10p.m, the committee will hear from representatives from both the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), which regulates veterinary medicine in Ireland, and Veterinary Ireland, which represents the veterinary profession. Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Oireachtas committee chairperson, Fianna Fáil Cork North-West TD Aindrias Moynihan, said: 'Our committee moves focus and welcomes representatives from the Merchants Alliance Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Veterinary Council of Ireland and Veterinary Ireland to examine the impacts of the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023. 'This act aims to update regulations on veterinary medicines, medicated feed, and fertilisers and looks to improve animal health, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and enhance regulatory oversight in the veterinary sector,' Moynihan said. Some of the main issues that will be discussed at the committee this evening include: The National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS), a database to record veterinary prescriptions, allowing people responsible for animals to purchase medicines from authorised dispensers; Responsible use of antimicrobials, including restrictions on prophylactic use and requirements for metaphylaxis prescriptions; Licensing and enforcement, including new licensing requirements and enforcement measures to ensure compliance. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food has 14 members, nine TDs and five senators. The membership of the committee is as follows: TDs: Aindrias Moynihan (chairperson) – Cork North-West, Fianna Fáil; William Aird (deputy chairperson) – Laois, Fine Gael; Peter 'Chap' Cleere – Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fáil; Joe Cooney – Clare, Fine Gael; Michael Fitzmaurice – Roscommon-Galway, Independent Ireland; Danny Healy-Rae – Kerry, independent; Martin Kenny – Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Féin; Paul Lawless – Mayo, Aontú; Natasha Newsome Drennan – Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Féin. Senators (all elected from Agricultural Panel): Victor Boyhan – independent; Paraic Brady – Fine Gael; Joanne Collins – Sinn Féin; Paul Daly – Fianna Fáil; Eileen Lynch – Fine Gael.
Agriland
07-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
‘Up-regulation' for antiparasitic products deferred to September
The introduction of the requirement for antiparasitic veterinary medicines to be provided only with prescriptions has been deferred until September 1. From September 1, a veterinary prescription will be required for all antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products for food producing animals. The implementation date has been moved to acknowledge the significant change required in moving to digital prescribing for both prescribers and retailers of veterinary medicines, and also farmers, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. Digital prescribing via the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) was introduced on January 13 for the prescribing and dispensing of all prescription-only veterinary medicines. According to Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Martin Heydon, there has been 'significant engagement' with the NVPS since January, but 'greater engagement' is needed in the intervening period to support a smooth transition and maintenance of current supply chains. 'I am conscious that this is a marked change to the regulation of antiparasitics. It is, however, necessary to address the increasing challenge of antiparasitic resistance, and evidence-based prescribing will support farm productivity and food security into the future,' the minister said. Antiparasitics are prescription-only medicines in all other EU member states. A 2019 report from Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) outlined the requirement for the 'up-regulation' of antiparasitics to prescription-only medicines due to evidence of antiparasitic resistance. Antiparasitics resistance is frequently cited by authorities as a significant threat to animal health and welfare, and overall farm productivity and profitability. Last week, the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) announced that it is updating its code of professional conduct in response to the changes brought on by the new veterinary medicines regulations. The VCI, which is the statutory body for regulating veterinary medicine in Ireland, said that its code of professional conduct is a binding code of conduct setting mandatory standards for the practice of veterinary medicine for all veterinary practitioners registered in the country. The body said that this update to the VCI code of conduct is required in response to the implementation of an EU regulation on veterinary medicinal products and the rules around the prescribing and use of veterinary medicines.
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Minister delays prescription-only deadline for antiparasitics until September
Minister of State Martin Heydon said today the move, which is the latest in series of deferrals to the new rules, is intended to give prescribers, merchants, and farmers more time to adapt to the significant changes involved, particularly the use of the new National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS). From the new implementation date, antiparasitic products such as wormers and fluke doses will only be available with a veterinary prescription — marking a shift away from long-standing supply routes through licensed agri-merchants. Digital prescribing via the NVPS became operational in January this year. While Minister Heydon acknowledged there has been 'significant engagement' since then, he said more time is needed to ensure a smooth transition and protect supply chains. 'I am conscious that this is a marked change to the regulation of antiparasitics,' he said. 'It is, however, necessary to address the increasing challenge of antiparasitic resistance, and evidence-based prescribing will support farm productivity and food security into the future.' The extension comes against a backdrop of growing concern among the merchant sector over the viability of the new system. Last week, Merchants Alliance Ireland — representing over 550 outlets nationwide — warned that the proposed reclassification could force many rural businesses to close unless urgent changes were made. The group includes the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), the Irish Licensed Merchants Association (ILMA), and Acorn Independent Merchants. In a strongly worded statement, the Alliance said the changes risk creating a near-monopoly for veterinary practices while leaving farmers with reduced access and higher costs. It also criticised the lack of updated prescribing guidelines from the Veterinary Council of Ireland and low engagement with NVPS by the veterinary community. Despite repeated requests, the Alliance said it had not secured a meeting with the Minister to discuss alternatives to the current plan.
Agriland
01-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
VCI updates code of conduct in response to new medicines rules
The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has announced that it is updating its code of professional conduct in response to the changes brought on by new veterinary medicines regulations. The VCI, which is the statutory body for regulating veterinary medicine in Ireland, said that its code of professional conduct is a binding code of conduct setting mandatory standards for the practice of veterinary medicine for all veterinary practitioners registered in the country. The body said that this update to the VCI code of conduct is required in response to the implementation of an EU regulation on veterinary medicinal products and the rules around the prescribing and use of veterinary medicines. That regulation has now been given effect in Irish law by the Veterinary Medicinal Products Medicated Feed and Fertiliser Regulation Act 2023 and the Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 2024 statutory instrument, signed into law in September 2024. The regulations deal with prescribing and dispensing veterinary medicines, alongside the prescribing of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products for non-therapeutic purposes in food-producing animals. The VCI said that this reflects the recommended increased regulation on antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products 'to protect their efficacy'. This will shortly reflect a move from these antiparasitic products, such as worms and flea treatments, being available over-the-counter to requiring a veterinary prescription. The main aspects of the updated VCI code of professional conduct are as follows: Guidance on the responsible use of medicinal products; Prudent prescribing and dispensing – updated to reflect the legal position that an immediate clinical examination is not required in the case of prescriptions issued for antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products for non-therapeutic purposes; Use of the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) – requiring compliance with the database; Content of veterinary prescription – covering the requirement for electronic prescriptions for medicated feed; Record Keeping – dealing with the record keeping requirements for veterinary prescriptions; Rules around product recalls; Prescribing in an emergency. Competent and Appropriate Veterinary Care: Client-patient-practice relationship – dealing with the prescribing of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products for non-therapeutic purposes in food-producing animals; Telemedicine – covering veterinary 'telemedicine' and the prescribing of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products for non-therapeutic purposes in food-producing animals. Animal Health and Welfare: 24-hour emergency cover – outlining the requirement to provide a follow up and emergency after hours clinical service when prescribing of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products for non-therapeutic purposes in food-producing animals. Commenting on the updated code of conduct, VCI president Rachel Brown said: 'The code of professional conduct offers definitions of terms contained in the EU Veterinary Medicines Regulations to support the prudent use of animal medicines in Ireland. 'Strict requirements applying to the privilege of prescribing antimicrobials stand as binding on all veterinary practitioners, alongside best practice guidance for the prescribing of antiparasitic medicines, underpinning a considered and conservative approach to protect the efficacy of a dwindling repertoire of antiparasitic veterinary medicines,' Brown added. Niamh Muldoon, the CEO of the VCI, said: 'The [council] will ensure that the requirement for a veterinary prescription in respect of antiparasitic medicines is implemented in a manner that ensures the prudent and informed prescribing by veterinary practitioners, in support of animal health and welfare, farm productivity, environmental health, and consumer confidence.'
