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VMD introduces new packaging surveillance scheme
The regulator will now monitor products which are already on the market.
New ‘streamlined’ regulation will launch on 2 February 2026.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is to introduce a new veterinary medicines packaging surveillance scheme, which is expected to streamline the regulation process.

The new scheme, which launches from 2 February 2026, will change how the VMD assesses and monitors medicine packaging. The regulator will now monitor products which are already on the market, ensuring proportionate oversight without unnecessary burden.

Every three months, a selection of products will be chosen for a packaging assessment. The products will be taken from wholesalers, and every packaging component will be reviewed.

The assessment verifies whether the packaging is compliant with approved product information text (QRD) and principles set out in the Product Literature Standards.

Findings will be shared with the Market Authorisation Holder (MAH) within the three-month assessment period. If non-compliance is identified, corrective actions will be sent – varying from updating packaging, submission of a formal variation, and tracking product defects.

The timeframe for implementing actions is dependent on the severity of identified issues.

The VMD will also no longer require mock-ups for G.I.18 Variations Requiring Assessments (VRA) and during a new Marketing Authorisation (MA) procedure. However it will continue to review mock-ups which are introduced prior to marketing, undertake joint assessment of mock-ups ahead of a new MA, and assess significant changes to design or layout which are unrelated to SPCs.

If a mock-up is required, only those which are for the smallest marketed pack size should be submitted.

The VMD says it will not routinely assess or annotate mock-ups for other variation categories. However, it may request other mock-ups on a case-by-case basis.

More details can be found on the VMD website.

Image © PeopleImages/Shutterstock.com

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Building Great Workplaces webinars return

News Story 1
 BVA has announced a new series of its Building Great Workplaces lunchtime webinars.

Launching from 16 July, the sessions will explore patient safety, motivation, client communication and more.

Its first webinar, exploring neurodiversity in the workplace, will take place at 1pm on Thursday, 16 July. It will feature guest speakers from The Vet Project, a group which supports neurodiversity in veterinary environments.

The following three webinars take place in September, October and November.

Booking is open on the BVA website 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.