BVA supports VMD website accreditation
The British Veterinary Association has voiced its support for the voluntary scheme, launched by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), for online veterinary medicines retailers to receive accreditation from the regulator so that animal owners can source medicines safely.
The VMD's Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme involves an application process and site inspection to check ongoing compliance with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
The move has been welcomed by the BVA, who called for the scheme to be made compulsory. The Association is also calling for more robust measures to stop prescription fraud and is in discussions with the VMD.
Harvey Locke, Past President of the BVA, called the scheme "a very welcome positive step" towards keeping the public protected from illegal medicines sites.
He commented: “Our biggest concern with online medicines retailers has been that animal owners didn’t know whether they were buying genuine, safe medicines that comply with UK regulations.
“This simple scheme launched by the VMD will allow customers to know within seconds whether the company they are using complies with the high standards set by UK legislation and the regulator.
“The scheme is a very welcome positive step in protecting the public from illegal sites, but in future we would like to see it becoming compulsory so that everyone can be confident that they are buying products that are safe for their animals and themselves.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
