Animal health expert urges EU lobbying
The animal health profession has been urged to seek agreement on what is needed from the upcoming EU Animal Medicines Directive.
Speaking at the Animal Health Distributors Association, Declan O'Brien, managing director at the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) Europe, warned that vets, manufacturers and suitably qualified persons (SQPs) must reach common agreement on what they want.
"If we don't [work together], we risk division and imposition of damaging legislation," he explained.
Mr O'Brien said the main three objectives of the directive are increasing the availability of veterinary medications across member states, decreasing administration and ensuring the free trade of medicines continues across the EU.
A fourth objective, added by the European Commission (EC) after concerns were raised, is to reduce antimicrobial resistance.
He added that possible scenarios include all medicines being reclassified as POM-V – thereby, eradicating the need for SQPs and pharmacists – and animals needing to be seen before medication is prescribed.
Furthermore, the EC believes that by allowing vets to supply the medicine they've prescribed, it provides an "economic incentive" that is causing resistance.
Mr O'Brien concluded with a final urge to delegates to lobby both the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and MEPs, "before it's too late".
"Now they want information that helps them to make the right decisions," he said.
The proposals that emerge as a result of the directive are expected in June.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
