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VMD and RCVS Knowledge launch medication safety course
"30 per cent of errors reported to the VDS's VetSafe system are due to medication errors" - Chris Gush, RCVS Knowledge.

The course is freely available to anyone in the veterinary profession.

A free online course has been launched to help veterinary teams improve their medication safety in practice.

The course, Managing Veterinary Medicines: Staying legal and promoting safety, has been jointly launched by RCVS Knowledge and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to provide knowledge on the safe and responsible use of veterinary medicines and medicine regulations. 

Delivering more than six hours of CPD, course users can expect to learn how to put systems in place that will reduce errors, improve patient outcomes and improve practice systems. 

RCVS Knowledge executive director, Chris Gush, said: “In England alone, more than 1,700 people die yearly because of medication errors. While we don't know the true figures in veterinary medicine, we do know that 30 per cent of errors reported to the VDS's VetSafe system are due to medication errors.

“That's why we think it's vital to have good robust systems in place in the practice dispensary and to use QI tools like guidelines, protocols, and checklists. We are pleased to have worked alongside the VMD to produce this fantastic course that will help veterinary teams improve their medication safety and ultimately save lives.”

The course will be delivered through podcasts, webinars and articles, and will help practices prepare for a VMD inspection or an RCVS Practice Standards Scheme assessment. 

CEO of the VMD, Abi Seager added: “Managing Veterinary Medicines will help teams comply with legislation as well as keep patients, team members and clients safe when prescribing and dispensing medicine. Both RCVS Knowledge and the VMD are committed to supporting veterinary teams to use and store medicines correctly to benefit patients, veterinary teams and practices.”

The course is open to everyone in the veterinary profession. For more information and to access the course, visit rcvsknowledge.org

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.