Latest news with #NationalVeterinaryPrescriptionSystem
Agriland
31-07-2025
- Business
- Agriland
ICSA urges 'rethink' on antiparasitic prescription rules
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has urged Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon to rethink proposed prescription rules for antiparasitic medicines. ICSA Animal Health and Welfare Committee chair John Barron has said the delay in introducing prescription-only rules for antiparasitic medicines until December 1, 2025 must not be wasted. On Monday (July 21), Minister Heydon announced a further and 'definitive' extension to the transition period for the up-regulation of antiparasitics to prescription-only medicines (POM). The previous implementation date was September 1, which itself was an extended date. The minister said this adjustment represents his 'continued support for stakeholders' in completing the transition to digital prescribing through the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS), and ensuring alignment across the prescribing and supply chain network. The ICSA Animal Health and Welfare Committee chair is calling on Minister Heydon to use the extra time to "completely rethink how the regulation is being rolled out". 'Tweaking the timeline isn't enough - the whole approach needs a serious rethink,' John Barron said. Under the planned rules, routine antiparasitic treatments like wormers and fluke doses will require a vet prescription, issued through the new National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS). Farmers will no longer be able to buy these products over the counter from their local co-op or licensed merchant without first going through a vet. 'The current plan is too centralised and doesn't reflect how farming actually works," Barron said. "We fully support the responsible use of veterinary medicines - that's not the issue. But it has to be done in a way that actually works for farmers, keeps costs down, and protects local supply channels. "This is about farmers being able to get essential animal treatments when they need them. If these changes go ahead as planned, farmers will face delays and higher costs. "On top of that, many licensed merchants and co-ops who have responsibly supplied these products for decades could be forced out of business entirely - which would be a travesty." The ICSA committee chair said DAFM should "properly engage with all stakeholders - not just vets - and come back with a solution that works in practice, not just on paper". 'This is a chance to get it right. That means keeping licensed merchants in the supply chain and finding a system that actually works for everyone. "This can't just be a delay to push through the same flawed plan. The minister must listen and go back to the table. We need a system that works for farmers, vets, and merchants alike," Barron said.
Agriland
13-06-2025
- 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
11-06-2025
- 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.
