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VMD publishes first Inspections and Enforcement report
The VMD conducted 188 inspections between October and November 2025.
Statistics highlight cases of prescription fraud and counterfeit drugs.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has published its first Inspections and Enforcement Report, exploring data between October and November 2025.

It is the first of a series of reports, due to be published every two months, intended to keep stakeholders informed with regulatory compliance.

The first report reveals that, between October and November 2025, the VMD conducted 188 inspections, received 200 new enforcement cases and closed 321 cases. Its enforcement action included five enforcement notices, 219 letters sent and 77 illegal listings removed.

Prescription fraud has been revealed as a persisting issue among the veterinary sector.

Between January 2023 and June 2025, the VMD received 1,852 reports of prescription fraud. Of these reports, 84 per cent involved tampered prescriptions and 16 per cent were complete fabrications.

The products commonly involved included dermatitis treatments, anti-inflammatories, cardiovascular medicines and parasiticides.

The VMD has also reported a surge in reports of counterfeit flea treatments. Since the VMD’s last warning in June 2025, reports of suspected counterfeit flea treatments have increased by seven times.

Before June, the VMD recorded only six reports of counterfeit flea treatments, including across historic data. Since the warning it has received 49 reports, including 11 between October and November 2025.

The report calls on veterinary practices to be aware of medicine broach limits, after inspections revealed that 18 per cent of practices were using medicines beyond their broach limit. A further 21 per cent were discovered to have failed to record all required information when prescribing or supplying medicine.

Meanwhile, the VMD says it is continuing to tackle illegal online drug sales. It logged 55 reports in 2024 and a further 52 reports in 2025. These reports span online marketplaces, social media and websites.

The full report has been published online.

Image © Shutterstock.com/Mari Zaro

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.